Coronavirus: Origin, Symptoms and How To Keep Off The Virus

Coronavirus has killed over 80 people so far with thousands of new infections announced in the Asian countries and fear is slowly creeping up into Kenyans as a good number of their relatives are in China and the rate of movement between the two countries cannot be ignored.

It is crucial to understand what the coronavirus is especially with the fear of the virus given the close interaction of Kenya and China to ensure you keep safe as information is indeed power.

Understanding The Virus That Is Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a deadly virus that is presented with cold-like symptoms and can infect animals and human beings with equal symptoms and consequences with the first cases being reported in Wuhan China.

Little is known of the new coronavirus and how the virus mutates with suspicion rife that it could have spread to Chinese nationals from one of their animal delicacies especially since people in the Asian countries are known to indulge in animals considered unfit as delicacies.

There is no vaccine yet established to prevent the new coronavirus but Health Ministries are working in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).

At least 48 million people were on 25th January 2020 put under quarantine in 15 Chinese cities in the central Hubei province to stop the spread.

Kenyans Living in China

Kenyans living in China have either the option of traveling back and going through vigorous screening processes at the airport or staying exposed to the deadly virus in China.

The Chinese government has ordered an immediate lockdown of Central China with a travel ban issued across all areas where coronavirus was reported which traps citizens in the country from other countries.

Signs That You Have Coronavirus

• Coughing
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Severe Pneumonia
• Kidney Failure

How Is Coronavirus Transmitted

The new coronavirus that is spreading in Asian countries has been found to be spreading like other coronaviruses and Flu which transmit through the following ways:

Direct contact with infected persons

Droplets in the air during coughing or sneezing

Contact with nose, mouth or nose of infected person or tools they have used

The coronavirus has a seven-day incubation period which is making its spread a challenge to contain but how can you keep off viruses whether corona or flu:

• Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub
• Cover your nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing with a handkerchief, pocket tissue or your flexed elbow
• Avoid coming into close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
• Avoid coming into contact with animals whether wild or domesticated
• Avoid touching nose and eyes as much as you can and wear masks in crowded places
• Cover both mouth and nose when sneezing and generally maintain top hygiene practices

Theories Surrounding the Coronavirus Outbreak

Coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan in China where hundreds were infected and are slowly succumbing to the virus that has neither treatment nor vaccine.

The Bats Theory

Scientists claim the deadly strain of coronavirus shares a common ancestor with a virus found only in fruit bats.

Experts have found that snakes were susceptible to the most similar version of the coronavirus and are also known to eat bats in the wild.

Snakes are sold in the Wuhan fish market where the virus was first reported as they are considered a delicacy in China and are used to make soup.

Pathogens from the infected snakes were spread to human beings through the handling of the snakes as they were prepared for cooking and has since been spread to thousands of human beings.

READ: List Of Countries Hit By Coronavirus: Is Africa Safe?