Name: Jasper Martinez

NCM Assignment

1. What is the novel Coronavirus 2019-nCov?

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.

2. Where do Coronaviruses come from?

 Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals but some of them are also
known to affect humans. After they have infected animals, they can eventually be
transmitted to humans.

3. 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 spreads 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 14 days. At this stage, we know that the virus can be transmitted as
soon as those infected show (flu-like) symptoms. However, there are still uncertainties as
to whether mild or asymptomatic cases can transmit the virus.
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 is low. Systematic implementation of infection prevention and
control measures were effective in controlling SARS and MERS coronaviruses.
 4. Why has there been such a large increase in cases reported
from China from 13th February? Is the epidemic suddenly
getting worse?

On February 13, official statistics reported from China included 15 141 new cases of COVID-19,
which represents the single largest number of cases reported on one day since the start of the
epidemic. Information from Chinese officials indicates that as of the 13th of February, there was a
change in the way that cases are being counted. This now includes all suspected cases with a
clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. These new cases have not necessarily been laboratory confirmed
as having COVID-19. Given this, we cannot compare the number of cases reported up to now with
this new number and it does not necessarily mean that the epidemic is increasing in China.

Medical information

1. What are the symptoms of 2019-nCoV

From what we know so far, the virus can cause mild, flu-like symptoms such as

• fever
• cough
• difficulty breathing
• pain in the muscles and
• tiredness.

More serious cases develop severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and septic
shock that can lead to the death of the patient. People with existing chronic conditions seem to be more
vulnerable to severe illness.

2. Are some people more at risk than others?

Generally, young children, elderly people and those with underlying conditions
(e.g. hypertension, heart disorders, diabetes, liver disorders, and respiratory disease) are expected to
be more at risk of developing severe symptoms. As this is an emerging disease and there is only limited
data available, we do not yet know which groups of people might be prone to a more severe
outcome following infection with 2019-nCoV.

3. Is there a treatment for the disease caused by 2019-nCoV?

There is no specific treatment for this disease so the approach used to treat patients with coronavirus-
related infections is to treat the clinical symptoms (e.g. fever). Supportive care (e.g. supportive therapy
and monitoring – oxygen therapy, fluid management and antivirals) can be highly
effective for those infected.

4. When should I be tested for 2019-nCoV?

If you have

• an acute respiratory infection (sudden onset of either a cough, and/or a sore throat, and/or shortness of
breath), and in the 14 days before the start of your symptoms, you were either:

• in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of 2019-nCoV infection, or travelled to an area where
there is ongoing community transmission of 2019-nCoV,
• or worked in or attended a healthcare facility where patients with 2019-nCoV infections were being
treated, you should contact your doctor by phone for advice.

ECDC has developed guidance on how to identify suspected cases and when to initiate testing:

Publication

Public health management of persons having had contact with novel coronavirus cases in the European
Union

Technical report - 29 Jan 2020

A close contact would be someone living in the same household as a person who has been diagnosed with
2019-nCoV, a person who had face-to-face contact or stayed in a closed environment with a 2019-nCoV
case, or a healthcare worker or other person providing direct care for a 2019-nCoV case, or laboratory
workers handling 2019-nCoV specimens.

5. Where can I get tested?

If your doctor believes there is a need for a laboratory test for 2019-nCoV, he/she will inform you of the
procedure to follow and advise which laboratory can perform the test. Several laboratories in Europe can
process 2019-nCoV samples.
 CHAIN OF INFECTION OF NOVEL CORONA
VIRUS

Infectious Agent:
VIRUS (N-corona
virus)

RESERVOIRS:
SUSCEPTIBLE HOST:
Animals that
Immunosuppression,
transmitted to
Elderly
Human

Portal of Entry: PORTAL OF EXIT:

Respiratory tract Secretion; Droplets

MEANS OF
TRANSMISSION:
Direct contact,
Airborne
A. Infectious Agent: VIRUS (N-corona virus)

The organism is a form of virus, which has Spike Glycoprotein (S), Hemagglutinin-esterase dimer (HE),
Envelope, RNA and N protein.
Once inside the cytoplasm, the endosome opens to reveal the virus’s genetic material, a single stranded
RNA. The virus hijacks the cells machinery to replicate the RNA and N proteins and uses the endoplasmic
reticulum to form its M protein outer layer, and the all important S protein. After replication, the virus is
carried by the golgi bodies out of the cell in a process known as exocystosis, so that it can infect other
cells.

Coronavirus: A family of viruses named for the crown-like spikes on their surface (corona means “crown”
in Latin). Coronaviruses cause the common cold. The family also includes viruses that cause far more
serious infections, including SARS.

Novel: Something that is clever or unusual and new, as in never seen before.

PREVENTION: Rapid accurate identification of organisms

Specimens as per the WHO recommendation:

1. Respiratory materials including Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, sputum and/or
endotracheal aspirate or bronchoalveolar lavage in patients with more severe respiratory
disease.
2. Tissue from biopsies or autopsy including those from the lungs
3. Whole blood
4. Urine samples
5. Serum for serological testing, acute sample and convalescent sample (2-4 weeks after
acute phase)

Clinical diagnosis:

Observing patient symptoms. This includes; fever, headaches, myalgia, sneezing, and
coughing. If the patients meet the case definition of the suspected COVID-19, he/she should
be screened for the virus with PCR.

Laboratory Diagnosis:
Currently, the diagnostic tests available are aiming at conventionally detecting the causes of
pneumonia early, to support disease control activities and to work with reference Labs that
can perform pan coronavirus detection and directed sequencing. (WHO/2019-
nCoV/laboratory/2020.3). The recommended diagnostic methods include;
1. Isolation of the virus in human airway epithelial cells.
2. Use of pan-coronavirus assay for amplification
3. followed by, Real-time Reverse Transcription (RT)-PCR assay has been designed to
detect sequences of the virus
4. Whole-genome sequencing and genome analysis by bioinformatics including
phylogenic tree construction to distinguish the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 from
other coronaviruses.
5. Serological testing to confirm immunological responses to the specific virus, SARS-CoV-
2 for example, cytokine identification, measurement, and quantification.
B. RESERVOIRS: Animals that transmitted to Human

It is said that the virus came from animals which carries same strain of virus such as in the bats and
snake to human. Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals but some of them are also
known to affect humans. After they have infected animals, they can eventually be
transmitted to humans.

PREVENTION: Employee health, environmental sanitation, Disinfection/sterilization.

Avoid eating strange food such as snakes or bats. Avoid contact with people who had this kind of infection.
Proper hand washing and cook food always.

C. PORTAL OF EXIT: Secretion; Droplets

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 14 days. At this stage, we know that the virus can be transmitted as
soon as those infected show (flu-like) symptoms. However, there are still uncertainties as to whether mild or
asymptomatic cases can transmit the virus.
 Prevention: Hand Hygiene, control of excretions and secretions, trash and waste disposal

D. MEANS OF TRANSMISSION: Direct contact, Airborne

Novel Coronavirus is transmitted by direct contact or airborne, which is people from china is being
banned since the outbreak of this virus. It can spread to person to person as fast as it can

PREVENTION: Isolation (People who are infected with N-corona virus are being isolated and quarantine), Food
Handling (These include cooking the food to kill microorganism and avoiding eating strange food such as snake,
bats, etc. Airflow control, Standard Precautions, Sterilization, Hand hygiene

E. Portal of Entry: Respiratory tract

The symptoms resemble influenza, it’s a respiratory virus initially. You will have fever and not so feeling
well, cough and just feeling poorly.
PREVENTION: Aseptic technique, Using mask to prevent someone from being contact and to keep someone from
spreading the virus. Get plenty of rest, take vitamins and eat healthy foods to strengthen the immune system.

F. SUSCEPTIBLE HOST: Immunosuppression, elderly

Our immune system plays a very important role in fighting foreign invaders such as bacteria and virus. In
the case of Ncorona virus, those patient who have low immune response could be a susceptible host
since there immune bodies cannot totally fight the virus especially for those HIV and AIDs patient and
elderly which has low immune response.

PREVENTION: Treatment of underlying diseases, Recognition of high-risk patients.

Prevention
1. How can I avoid getting infected?
When visiting areas with presumed ongoing community transmission of coronavirus you should:
• avoid contact with sick people, in particular those with a cough;
• avoid visiting markets and places where live or dead animals are handled;
• follow general rules governing hand hygiene and food hygiene;
• 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.

2. What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who

has 2019-nCoV?
Notify public health authorities in your area who will provide guidance on further steps to take. If you
develop any symptoms, it is important that you call your healthcare provider for advice, mentioning that
you have been visiting an area of presumed ongoing community transmission of 2019-nCoV.
More information is available in the guidance:
Publication
Public health management of persons having had contact with novel coronavirus cases in the European
Union
Technical report - 29 Jan 2020

3. What are the rules for disinfection/hand washing?

Hand washing and disinfection is the key to preventing infection. You should wash your hands often
and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, you can
also use alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol. The virus enters your body via your eyes,
nose and mouth, so avoid touching them with unwashed hands.

4. Are face masks effective in protecting against 2019-nCoV?

Face masks help prevent further spread of infection from those who are sick to others around
them. However, face masks do not seem to be as effective in protecting those who are not infected.

5. Is there a vaccine against 2019-nCov?

There are currently no vaccines against coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV. This is why it is very
important to prevent infection or contain further spread of an infection.
The development of vaccines takes time. Several pharmaceutical companies are working on
vaccine candidates. It will, however, take months before any vaccine can be widely used as it needs to
undergo extensive testing to determine its safety and efficacy.

6. Am I protected against 2019-nCoV if I had the influenza vaccine

this year?
Influenza and 2019-nCoV are two very different viruses and the seasonal influenza vaccine would not
protect against disease caused by 2019-nCoV.
However, as the European influenza season is still underway, the influenza vaccine is the best available
protection against seasonal influenza and it is not too late to get vaccinated.

REFERENCE:

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOV1aBVYKGA

https://thebiologynotes.com/the-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-an-overview/

https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200211-sitrep-22-
ncov.pdf