Capri Howard
Staff Writer
Chinese officials have confirmed over 6,000 cases of the Coronavirus. The virus originating in the Chinese City of Wuhan has now claimed 133 lives. Thousands of citizens have also been infected with flu like symptoms in more than a dozen countries, including the United States, according to the NY Times.
The first report of the virus was to the World Health Organization on Dec. 30, 2019. According to Chinese scientists, the disease has been linked to a virus known as coronaviruses, that contains Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) as well as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Scientists are still rapidly working to understand its potential as a virus, now known as the 2019-nCov. Friday, Jan. 24 the virus made its US appearance in Europe, and Australia.
Its second case was recently reported closer in the US, this time in Chicago. It was discovered when a woman in her sixties returned to her home after visiting Wuhan City and was experiencing similar symptoms to the virus, reported CBS Chicago.
This virus is thought to have originated in a seafood market in Central China, and is rumored to be very contagious.
“I think it’s very dangerous because Chicagois such a largely populated city, and it could potentially spread fast.” Said Kaia Gray, a freshman biology major from Chicago, Ill.
The virus has been proven for transmission from animal to human, as the first case is believed to have derived from animals. It has been suggested that travelers “maintain good personal hygiene (wear surgical mask in crowded areas and wash hands regularly) and avoid eating game meat. Also avoid wet markets selling game and live poultry,” expressed David Hui, chairman of the Department of Medicine and therapeutics and director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
“I really don’t think we can do much besides protect ourselves, besides take care of ourselves and take care of our bodies. It’s pretty scary to hear, it’s almost like plague all over again. I just really hope we can find a treatment to keep this from spreading,” said Maria Jose Jaramillo, a freshman criminal justice major from Rio Rico, AZ.
The history of coronaviruses has started in many different species of animals, including mammals and bats. It is very rare that this virus spreads to humans like it has recently done, because there are only certain strands that can infect the human body.
There are only seven strands of coronaviruses that can infect the human body currently known. The virus has been experiencing a recent rapid spread in Wuhan city since its first report.
“It’s very sad because I have a Pomeranian chihuahua, and animals can be a man’s best friend. She’s been my friend since I was young and to know she can potentially catch such a virus is harsh. I’ll be sure to take her to the vet and get her usual checkups,” stated Natalie Cura, a sophomore graphic design major from Aurora,Ill.
Travel bans have been extended in Central China, restricting ten million people of the city of Wuhan from traveling, as well as a quarantine of 48 million citizens.
There are still many questions left unanswered that scientists are quickly working to answer. Although the severity of this virus is unclear, caution is strongly suggested while traveling.
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