Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Where did it start and how many people have died? Coronaviruses are a family of diseases which include the common cold and the virus which caused Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which originated in China in 2002 and killed nearly 800 people around the world.
The virus causing concern now is a new strain which has made the jump from animals to people. It causes flu-like symptoms and can make it hard for people to breathe, causing viral pneumonia in severe cases. Over 100 people worldwide have now died after contracting the illness.
How does it affect the lungs? The virus is more likely to progress into a severe illness or prove fatal among older patients or those with weakened immune systems. As it is a viral illness, antibiotics will not help and there is no known cure or vaccine.
Is it safe to travel to Thailand? Is it safe to travel to Japan as the coronavirus spreads? To avoid the illness, take usual hygiene precautions, such as using a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, and making sure to wash your hands. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth after touching things like poles on public transport and avoid close contact with people suffering an acute respiratory infection. You should also avoid unprotected contact with wild or farm animals.
Is Coronavirus in Nigeria? The government haven’t declared that the virus has been detected or affected any Nigerian or reached Nigeria. The virus originated in the city of Wuhan in China, where it is believed to have made the jump from animals to people at a seafood market.
Wuhan is the capital of China’s Hubei province, a landlocked province in central China. It is built along the Yangtze river, and is around 500 miles west of Shanghai and 690 miles north of Hong Kong. It is the largest and most populous city in central China, although estimates over its population vary.
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