The CDC released a notice last week stating there have been
2 cases of novel coronavirus found in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The World Health
Organization was notified by the United Kingdom informing them that these cases
occurred back in early September. The patient had apparently taken a trip from his
hometown in Qatar to Saudi Arabia. The infection developed in the Middle East
and he was taken to the United Kingdom where he was formally diagnosed. The
patient has died since the story was published. This is following another case
of a patient who had the same illness and was also in Saudi Arabia when they
got sick. Since both incidents, health care officials have increased monitoring
of particularly respiratory illnesses to ensure there are no future cases.
Coronaviruses are what cause the common cold as well as what caused SARS. The
strain in this illness is unable to be identified making it that much harder to
treat. Health care officials are also unable to figure out how this particular
strain is spread and that in itself is dangerous. The CDC advises those who
travel to wash their hands on a consistent basis to minimize the spread of
germs and potentially this virus.
I think it is important for the world to receive updates
such as these to keep as many people as possible informed. There are still so
many bacteria and virus strains that are left to be identified and knowing they
exist is the first step to preventing them. The CDC goes about identifying the
problem to the best of their knowledge as well as methods to avoid
transmission. This was also submitted in a rather timely manner which is
necessary for those who may be traveling to these locations soon. In regards to
the content of the article, there lies a bit of fear for several reasons. The
virus has yet to be identified which can be dangerous in the sense that there
is nothing for comparison in terms of severity. The individual who acquired the
virus back in September has since died increasing this worry factor. The mode
of transmission is unknown as well which prevents potential carriers to know
how they are giving this to someone else. There are small steps one can take
here and there such as washing their hands or covering their mouths when they
sneeze, but even then that may not be enough. The first step that at least was
accomplished was getting the information out there so that people are aware and
can take some of the necessary preventative steps until more definitive
information is uncovered.
No comments:
Post a Comment