Coronavirus outbreak: What we know so far
Two cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in a family in the UK.
It comes on the heels of the World Health Organisation declaring an international public health emergency as cases continue to spread.
How much do we know about the new virus?
– What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).
They are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.
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– How did it get its name?
Corona in Latin means “crown”.
The coronavirus was so named because of its distinctive crown of sugary proteins that spike out from the virus surface.
– What do we know about the new coronavirus?
The strain that has recently emerged has not been previously identified in humans.
The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China. The precise source of the outbreak remains unknown.
There are almost 10,000 confirmed cases in total, with more 200 deaths.
There are cases in more than a dozen countries outside China.
While it has spread rapidly, the virus is understood to be less lethal than its predecessor Sars.
WHO estimates the death rate of the new virus is 2% but said the figure was very preliminary.
– What are the symptoms?
Initial symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
More severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death.
There are no specific treatments for the new coronavirus but symptoms can be treated.
Professor Robin Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity at Imperial College London, is currently developing a vaccine, which he believes has a “very good chance” of being effective.
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Is the HSE prepared if an Irish case is detected
The chief medical officer at the Department of Health, Dr Tony Holohan has confirmed that there is a strategy in place to contain the coronavirus should any cases arrive in the country.
Dr Holohan told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland. He welcomed the classification on Thursday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the coronavirus outbreak that started in China was a public health emergency “of international concern”.
"Such a categorisation will allow the WHO to give more effective assistance to China," he said.
"Early detection and prevention of spread of the virus are the key components of the Department of Health’s plans to combat the coronavirus," explained Dr Holohan.