Novel corona virus

The 2019 novel coronavirus, temporarily named 2019-nCoV, was identified in China at
the end of 2019 and is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously
identified in humans.

Where do virus come from?

Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals but some of them are also
known to affect humans. After they have infected humans, they can eventually be
transmitted to humans. A wide range of animals is known to be the source of
coronaviruses. For instance, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-
CoV) originated from camels and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
originated from civet cats. More information on coronaviruses can be found on the
ECDC factsheet

Is this virus comparable to SARS or to the seasonal flu (influenza)?

This novel coronavirus detected in China is genetically closely related to the 2003
SARS virus and appears to have similar characteristics, although there is still limited
data available on this virus. SARS emerged at the end of 2002 in China and more than
8 000 SARS-cases were reported by 33 countries over a period of eight months. At the
time, one in ten people who contracted SARS died. The current 2019-nCoV outbreak
has caused around 10 000 reported cases in China since the end of December 2019
(as of end of January 2020.) Other countries have also reported cases of 2019-nCoV,
including some in the EU/EEA. At this point, there is too little data available to say for
sure how deadly 2019-nCoV is but preliminary findings indicate that it is less fatal than
SARS-CoV. While both 2019-nCoV and influenza viruses are transmitted from person-
to-person and may cause similar symptoms, the two viruses are very different and
consequently behave differently. It is still very early to draw conclusions on how 2019-
nCoV spreads, but preliminary information indicates that 2019-nCoV is as transmissible
as SARS and some other pandemic influenza strains have been. ECDC estimates that
each year, up to 40 000 people in the EU/EEA die prematurely due to causes
associated with influenza.
What is the mode of transmission? How (easily) does it spread?
While animals are the source of the virus, this virus is now spreading from one person
to another (human-to-human transmission). There is currently not enough
epidemiological information to determine how easily and sustainably this virus is
spreading between people. The virus seems to be transmitted mainly via respiratory
droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale. The incubation period for 2019-nCov (i.e.
the time between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms) is currently estimated at
between two and 12 days. While people are mostly infectious when they present (flu-
like) symptoms, there are indications that some people maybe be able to transmit the
virus without presenting any symptoms or before the symptoms appear. If this is
confirmed, it would make early detection of 2019-nCoV infections more difficult.
However, it is not unusual for viral infections of this type, as is also seen with measles,
for example. If people with 2019-nCoV are tested and diagnosed in a timely manner and
rigorous infection control measures are applied, the likelihood of sustained human-to-
human transmission in community settings in the EU/EEA is low. Systematic
implementation of infection prevention and control measures were effective in
controlling SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.

What are the symptoms of 2019-nCoV

Fever cough difficulty breathing pain in the muscles and tiredness.

How can I avoid getting infected? When visiting China:

avoid contact with sick people, in particular those with a cough; avoid visiting markets
and places where live or dead animals are handled; general rules governing hand
hygiene and food hygiene apply; wash your hands with soap and water OR use an
alcohol-based disinfectant solution before eating, after using the toilet and after any
contact with animals; avoid contact with animals, their excretions or droppings.
Wherever you travel, apply general rules governing hand and food hygiene.
 Novel corona
virus

References

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/case-definition-and-
european-surveillance-human-infection-novel-
coronavirus-2019-ncov
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-
china/questions-answers?
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