KARACHI: A virology expert has urged the citizens to protect themselves against the possible threat from the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the country, saying that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of new coronavirus a global health emergency.
Dr. Muhammad Rashid, senior research officer expressed these views while speaking at the public awareness seminar on “Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) and Preventive Strategies” held at the seminar room of Dr. Panjwani Center on Friday.
He said that more than 30,000 people are infected from the virus in China, while more than 600 people died of fatal infection. Dr. Panjwani Center and Virtual Education Project Pakistan (VEPP) jointly organised the seminar with an objective to raise public awareness about the most important current challenges, which our nation is facing.
Dr. Rashid said that the citizens were advised to practice the best hygiene, and wash their hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Following the global health issue, WHO has already declared the outbreak of the coronavirus a global emergency, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China, he added. He stressed the need to aware of the citizens about the fatality of coronavirus and preventive measures that could keep the citizens safe against the deadly virus.
He said that the 2019 novel coronavirus, one of the kinds of viruses, caused viral pneumonia, with symptoms including cough, fever, and shortness of breath. In rare cases, it can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death, he maintained.
If someone believes that he or she owns these symptoms and had traveled to Wuhan, China, within 14 days, they must contact their health care provider, he said, added that the citizens need to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
They need to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, he said and added that sick people are required to stay at home.
He reiterated that there was no pathological laboratory performing a diagnostic test in Pakistan for the confirmation of coronavirus infections. He said that the first case of the new virus was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, while the first death outside China was reported in Philippine.
A recent cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan was caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. He said that there was a need to monitor and control all immigrants and visitors, livestock and goods at entry points.
People at all international airports should be scanned for temperature and suspected individuals should be examined in isolation, he said.
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