GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Collective Prevention Services (CPS) that falls under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, has been informed the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) to continue surveillance with respect to novel coronavirus infection (NCoV).
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which includes viruses that may cause a range of illnesses in humans, from the common cold and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Viruses of this family also cause a number of animal diseases, however the NCoV itself has not yet been found in an animal.
This particular strain Novel Coronavirus has not been previously identified in humans.
Health care providers are advised to be vigilant among recent travelers returning from areas affected by the virus who develop severe SARS. Countries that have reported the novel coronavirus are: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and France.
Common symptoms have been acute, serious respiratory illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. The infection generally presents as pneumonia. It has caused kidney failure and death in some cases.
To prevent catching any respiratory illness, avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone who shows symptoms of illness (coughing and sneezing), and to maintain good hand hygiene.
Most patients are male and range in age from 24 to 94 years. Most patients presented with severe acute respiratory diseases required hospitalization and eventually required mechanical ventilation or other advanced respiratory support.
The Jordanian outbreak illustrated the potential of this virus to spread through health care facilities and the United Kingdom outbreak confirmed the potential of the virus to transmit between humans with close contact. In neither instance did transmission appear to go beyond the immediate outbreak into the community.
From September 2012 to date, the WHO has been informed of a global total of 34 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with NCoV, including 18 deaths.
In Saudi Arabia, an investigation is ongoing into an outbreak in a health care facility, where 15 patients, including seven deaths have been confirmed.
The French Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has informed WHO of an additional laboratory-confirmed case with infection of NCoV.
