Coronavirus; symptoms and risks
These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people. SARS, for instance, was transmitted from civet cats to humans while MERS moved to humans from a type of camel.
Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
The name coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus looks like a solar corona.
The novel coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and since named COVID-19, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. Little is known about it, although human-to-human transmission has been confirmed.
These viruses were originally transmitted between animals and people. SARS, for instance, was transmitted from civet cats to humans while MERS moved to humans from a type of camel.
Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
The name coronavirus comes from the Latin word corona, meaning crown or halo. Under an electron microscope, the image of the virus looks like a solar corona.
The novel coronavirus, identified by Chinese authorities on January 7 and since named COVID-19, is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. Little is known about it, although human-to-human transmission has been confirmed.
What are the symptoms?
According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and even death.
Current estimates of the incubation period - the amount of time between infection and the onset of symptoms - range from one to 14 days. Most infected people show symptoms within five to six days.
However, infected patients can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not display any symptoms despite having the virus in their systems.
How deadly is it?
According to the WHO, signs of infection include fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
In more severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and even death.
Current estimates of the incubation period - the amount of time between infection and the onset of symptoms - range from one to 14 days. Most infected people show symptoms within five to six days.
However, infected patients can also be asymptomatic, meaning they do not display any symptoms despite having the virus in their systems.
How deadly is it?
Where have cases been reported?
Most cases and deaths have been reported in China - the vast majority in Hubei province.
Deaths have also been confirmed in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, France, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
The virus has spread to many countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
The majority of cases outside China are among people who recently travelled to the country, however, instances of human-to-human transmission have been recorded in several countries and questions have been raised about cases with no apparent link to China.
Most cases and deaths have been reported in China - the vast majority in Hubei province.
Deaths have also been confirmed in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, France, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
The virus has spread to many countries in the Asia-Pacific region as well as in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
The majority of cases outside China are among people who recently travelled to the country, however, instances of human-to-human transmission have been recorded in several countries and questions have been raised about cases with no apparent link to China.
What is being done to stop it from spreading?
Scientists around the globe are racing to develop a vaccine but have warned that one is unlikely to be available for mass distribution before 2021.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have effectively sealed off Wuhan and placed restrictions on travel to and from several other cities, affecting some 60 million people.
Many international airlines have cancelled flights to China. Some countries have banned Chinese nationals from entering their territories and several more have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan.
Scientists around the globe are racing to develop a vaccine but have warned that one is unlikely to be available for mass distribution before 2021.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have effectively sealed off Wuhan and placed restrictions on travel to and from several other cities, affecting some 60 million people.
Many international airlines have cancelled flights to China. Some countries have banned Chinese nationals from entering their territories and several more have evacuated their citizens from Wuhan.
Where did the virus originate?
Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say likely came from a seafood market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally.
On February 7, Chinese researchers said the virus could have spread from an infected animal species to humans through illegally-trafficked pangolins, which are prized in Asia for food and medicine.
Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the origin of the virus, which they say likely came from a seafood market in Wuhan where wildlife was also traded illegally.
On February 7, Chinese researchers said the virus could have spread from an infected animal species to humans through illegally-trafficked pangolins, which are prized in Asia for food and medicine.
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The Indian government has prohibited the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31 in the wake of coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus LIVE: Coronavirus has extended its footprint in India with Karnataka and Noida reporting two more cases each on Tuesday, taking the total count to 692. A 64-year-old died in Mumbai. Globally, the number of cases has hit 500,143, with 25,000 reported deaths across 170 countries. The Union health ministry has activated a toll-free 24x7 national helpline number, 1075, to address queries related to the infection. The government also prohibited the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31.
Japan's benchmark stock index took another hit on Tuesday morning, plunging 3.6 per cent at one point, as volatility continues to stalk markets over fears of the new coronavirus and its devastating effect on the global economy. Tokyo's dive followed another frantic day on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down nearly 3,000 points, or 13 per cent, its worst loss in history in terms of points.
The Indian government has prohibited the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31 in the wake of coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus LIVE: Coronavirus has extended its footprint in India with Karnataka and Noida reporting two more cases each on Tuesday, taking the total count to 692. A 64-year-old died in Mumbai. Globally, the number of cases has hit 500,143, with 25,000 reported deaths across 170 countries. The Union health ministry has activated a toll-free 24x7 national helpline number, 1075, to address queries related to the infection. The government also prohibited the entry of passengers from EU countries, Turkey and the UK from March 18 till March 31.
Japan's benchmark stock index took another hit on Tuesday morning, plunging 3.6 per cent at one point, as volatility continues to stalk markets over fears of the new coronavirus and its devastating effect on the global economy. Tokyo's dive followed another frantic day on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down nearly 3,000 points, or 13 per cent, its worst loss in history in terms of points.
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