FAQs - Coronavirus outbreak in Thailand

[webfact]

 

FAQs about 2019-nCoV by Samitivej Hospital

 

1. What is a coronavirus? 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, which cause diseases ranging from a simple cold (some seasonal viruses are coronaviruses) to more severe diseases such as MERS or SARS. The virus identified in China is a new coronavirus. It has been referred to as 2019-nCoV. 

 

2. What are the symptoms of respiratory infection caused by 2019-nCoV? 

As things stand, the main symptoms are fever and respiratory signs such as coughing or shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the disease can lead to death. 

 

3. Are there people at risk who may develop a severe form of the disease? 

As with many infectious diseases, people with underlying chronic conditions (respiratory distress, frail people, elderly people, etc.) are at higher risk. 

 

4. What is the mode of transmission? 

 

The first cases identified are people who have gone directly to the Wuhan market (closed since 1 January): the hypothesis of zoonosis (disease transmitted by animals) is therefore preferred. In view of the new cases reported by the Chinese health authorities since 19 January, human-to-human transmission is now proven. The evolution of knowledge in the coming weeks will allow us to learn more about the modes of transmission of this virus, its level of transmission, its virulence, the incubation period and the animals that can be carriers. 

 

5. What defined as a close contact in the context of the Chinese epidemic of 2019-nCoV? 

There is close contact for a person who has shared the same place of life as the sick person when he or she has symptoms (family, same hospital or boarding room) or who has had direct contact, face to face, less than 1 metre from the person sick at the time of a cough, sneeze or during a discussion in the absence of effective protective measures. 

 

6. What if you have been in contact with a non-symptomatic person from China? 

As it stands, a non-symptomatic person cannot transmit the virus. Therefore, there is no specific recommendation. 

 

7. When WHO talks about animal sources, could this theoretically include cooked meat or 

fish and all types of animals? 

When the meat is cooked, the viruses are destroyed. Consumption of uncooked or uncooked animal products, including milk and meat, poses a significant risk of infection by a wide variety of organisms that can cause disease in humans. 

Appropriately prepared animal products, cooking or pasteurizing them, can be consumed but must also be carefully preserved, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked food. 

 

8. What defines a “case”? 

First, any patient with clinical signs of severe acute respiratory infection requiring hospitalization, and who had travelled or stayed in the city of Wuhan in China in the 14 days prior to the date of first clinical symptoms. 

Second, anyone with an acute respiratory infection of any severity, within 14 days after one of the following exhibitions: 

• Close contact with a confirmed case of infection in 2019-nCoV, while the infection was symptomatic; 

• A co-exposed person, defined as having been subject to the same risks of exposure (i.e. a stay/trip to Wuhan, China) as a confirmed case; 

• A person who has worked or stayed in a hospital in which a case of 2019-nCoV has been confirmed; 

• A person who has visited or worked in a live animal market in Wuhan, China. 

 

9. How is the diagnosis made? 

The diagnosis is suspected before signs of respiratory infection in a person returning from China in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms, in accordance with the case definition. 

A specific biological examination is required to confirm infection in 2019-nCoV. A rapid detection examination has been developed by the National Respiratory Virus Reference Centre. Available at Samitivej hospitals. 

 

10. What treatments are available? 

To date, no specific treatment has been identified for this new coronavirus, treatment is symptomatic. 

 

11. Can the disease be caught by water? 

To date, there have been no reports of water contamination. This disease is respiratory transmission and probably from animal to human, but the source has not yet been identified. 

 

12. Does the 2019-nCoV survive in the outdoor environment? 

We do not have any scientific data for this virus to date. However, by analogy with other viruses of the same family, this virus is certainly able to remain infectious in the outside environment from a few hours to a few days, depending on the environment in which it is located. It is a virus wrapped and therefore by some aspects more fragile than other viruses. 

Standard hygiene measures (hand washing, cleaning surfaces) are effective. 

 

13. What is the contagiousness of the disease? 

The degree of human to human spread outside of Hubei province remains unclear. A reproductive number, R0, is estimated at 1.4–2.5 by Chinese authorities and up to 5.5 by other scientists. An R0 greater than 1 indicates that each case leads to more than 1 subsequent case, making control much more difficult. 

 

14. How severe is the disease? 

Among the cases reported to date, several patients have developed a severe form of the disease, some of which have died. 

Available information suggests that the virus may cause symptoms similar to moderate influenza, but also more severe symptoms. The disease can also progress over time in a patient. Patients with pre-existing chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, respiratory diseases appear to be more likely to develop severe forms, as do people Older. But we still have a lot to learn about this virus and we will continue to analyze the available information on current and new cases. 

 

15. From which distance can one person be contaminated by a coronavirus carrier? 

The disease is transmitted through postillons (sneezing, coughing). Close contact (1 metre) is therefore considered necessary to transmit the disease. 

 

16. Can the virus be transmitted through sexual fluids? 

There is no evidence in favour of sexual fluid transmission at this stage. 

 

17. Are items imported from China considered a risk? 

Apparently not (this question was asked for avian influenza in 2004-2005 and for SARS). No cases of contamination with objects have been reported. 

 

18. Are there any special measures for drugs produced in China? 

There are no specific restrictions on the use of drugs from China. 

[RotBenz8888]

And what facemask should we use, that is more than a mere cosmetic thing?

Edited January 28, 2020 by RotBenz8888

[PremiumLane]

37 minutes ago, RotBenz8888 said:

And what facemask should we use, that is more than a mere cosmetic thing?

The same that will protect you from any kind of cold or flu virus, it is the same thing

[glennb6]

42 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

The same that will protect you from any kind of cold or flu virus, it is the same thing

a surgical mask is meant to keep surgeons, nurses, etc from spreading any germs OUT of their mouth onto susceptible patients - not to prevent intake of germs. an n95 grade mask that seals around the mouth and nose (similar to a snorkel fitting) would be considered effective. however most people have a habit of rubbing their eyes, picking their nose, putting their fingers on their lips and in their month and if they've touched an infected surface, well...

 

but a standard face mask you see people wearing all the time will make most people FEEL they are ok.

[URMySunshine]

1 minute ago, glennb6 said:

a surgical mask is meant to keep surgeons, nurses, etc from spreading any germs OUT of their mouth onto susceptible patients - not to prevent intake of germs. an n95 grade mask that seals around the mouth and nose (similar to a snorkel fitting) would be considered effective. however most people have a habit of rubbing their eyes, picking their nose, putting their fingers on their lips and in their month and if they've touched an infected surface, well...

 

but a standard face mask you see people wearing all the time will make most people FEEL they are ok.

Also a reminder to be careful about hand to mouth/nose contact when out and about. Washing hands carefully when you can and avoiding the hand/mouth contact until you are back home with a good scrub is good practice. 

[URMySunshine]

In this sense, nCoV-2019 is novel — and possibly even more dangerous to humans than the other coronaviruses. I say “possibly” because so far, not only do we not know how dangerous it is, we can’t know. 

 

We are faced with two mortal challenges, in the short term and the long term. Short term: We must do everything we can, with intelligence, calm and a full commitment of resources, to contain and extinguish this nCoV-2019 outbreak before it becomes, as it could, a devastating global pandemic. Long term: We must remember, when the dust settles, that nCoV-2019 was not a novel event or a misfortune that befell us. It was — it is — part of a pattern of choices that we humans are making.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/opinion/coronavirus-china.html

Edited January 28, 2020 by URMySunshine

[CLW]

I heard western experts opposing to point #6.

 

The virus can be already spread from persons with non-symptomatic signs e.g. during the incubation period.

 

Anyone else? 

[Jimbo2014]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

As things stand, the main symptoms are fever and respiratory signs such as coughing or shortness of breath.

Given that most of Thailand is a retched smog covered mess at the moment will anyone really be able to identify the Corona-Virus from anyone else struggling to breath around here?

[Haecksler]

Samitivej Hospital

3 hours ago, CLW said:

I heard western experts opposing to point #6.

 

The virus can be already spread from persons with non-symptomatic signs e.g. during the incubation period.

 

Anyone else? 

Absolutely

It is confirmed from Webasto, a German Company and from the German Health authorities that the 33y old guy got the virus from a Chinese woman which was the leader of a training event in the Webasto facility in Germany. That is new as the woman did not show any symptoms. Just when she fly back she developed symptoms during the flight.

The disturbing fact is that every report I read stated that "it is not proved yet whether the virus can be transmitted from people without symptoms"

So the hospital which posted that FAQ knows it better. (point no.: 6)- Everything under control of course. But the German case teach us otherwise.

 

[RotBenz8888]

7 hours ago, PremiumLane said:

The same that will protect you from any kind of cold or flu virus, it is the same thing

The same that won't protect you from any kind of virus....

[PremiumLane]

7 hours ago, glennb6 said:

a surgical mask is meant to keep surgeons, nurses, etc from spreading any germs OUT of their mouth onto susceptible patients - not to prevent intake of germs. an n95 grade mask that seals around the mouth and nose (similar to a snorkel fitting) would be considered effective. however most people have a habit of rubbing their eyes, picking their nose, putting their fingers on their lips and in their month and if they've touched an infected surface, well...

 

but a standard face mask you see people wearing all the time will make most people FEEL they are ok.

didn't say surgical mask, did I ???? I said the same that will give you some protection from flu viruses, cos this is the same - it is from the same family 

[RotBenz8888]

7 hours ago, glennb6 said:

a surgical mask is meant to keep surgeons, nurses, etc from spreading any germs OUT of their mouth onto susceptible patients - not to prevent intake of germs. an n95 grade mask that seals around the mouth and nose (similar to a snorkel fitting) would be considered effective. however most people have a habit of rubbing their eyes, picking their nose, putting their fingers on their lips and in their month and if they've touched an infected surface, well...

 

but a standard face mask you see people wearing all the time will make most people FEEL they are ok.

If reusing an n95 mask, it might become a source of infection in itself. I think it's difficult, if not impossible to clean or disinfect it. And a new mask every day might cost a bit to much...

[csmith]

Current statistics about the virus .… updated daily
 

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

As it stands, a non-symptomatic person cannot transmit the virus.

 Dunno when the OP was written. But recent research developments have clearly shown the above quoted statement is, and never was, correct.

 

Medical authorities now say the virus CAN be contagious during the incubation period prior to symptoms surfacing.

 

The hospital needs to correct/update their document!'

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

To date, no specific treatment has been identified for this new coronavirus, treatment is symptomatic. 

 

This also isn't exactly correct, depending on how you interpret the meaning.

 

AFAIK, the Chinese and others are currently using and researching the use of a couple of anti-HIV medications made by Abbvie as treatments / potential treatments. So yes, specific treatments HAVE been identified. Just how effective they're going to be, only time will tell.

 

[peterrabbit]

Number 6 is incorrect!

As per the case in Germany, infected people with NO symptoms ARE INFECTIOUS! 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

If reusing an n95 mask, it might become a source of infection in itself. I think it's difficult, if not impossible to clean or disinfect it. And a new mask every day might cost a bit to much...

 

The typical N95 masks are meant to be temporary use and disposable, then replaced by a new mask. The disposable ones you don't clean or disinfect.

 

And, the protocol for using the masks correctly, which hopefully wearers have educated themselves about, is that you're not supposed to touch the outside of the mask with your hands. And you are supposed to wash/clean your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure via a worn mask or anything else.

 

One problem for Thailand right now, which the government has been typically silent on, is that N95 masks are in very short supply AKA almost impossible to find and buy. So depending on how long this virus episode goes on for, people may start running out of their mask supplies at home and be unable to resupply them.

 

It's not just Thailand in that regard, though. In checking yesterday, N95 masks from legitimate vendors (as opposed to unknown vendors selling potential counterfeits) were hard to find on Amazon U.S. and several U.S. safety equipment suppliers I checked that are authorized vendors for 3M also were back-ordered on a variety of N95 mask versions.

 

Edited January 28, 2020 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[FruitPudding]

7 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 Dunno when the OP was written. But recent research developments have clearly shown the above quoted statement is, and never was, correct.

 

Medical authorities now say the virus CAN be contagious during the incubation period prior to symptoms surfacing.

 

The hospital needs to correct/update their document!'

 

Medical authorities often use "can" in a theoretical way and for legal reasons they speak broadly and ultra-conservative.

 

Whereas an infectious disease specialist may tell you "it theoretically can, but it actually does not."

 

It is probably to early to know now.

 

[Moonlover]

15 hours ago, CLW said:

I heard western experts opposing to point #6.

 

The virus can be already spread from persons with non-symptomatic signs e.g. during the incubation period.

 

Anyone else? 

That's correct. See:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51048366

[CLW]

19 hours ago, Haecksler said:

Samitivej Hospital

Absolutely

It is confirmed from Webasto, a German Company and from the German Health authorities that the 33y old guy got the virus from a Chinese woman which was the leader of a training event in the Webasto facility in Germany. That is new as the woman did not show any symptoms. Just when she fly back she developed symptoms during the flight.

The disturbing fact is that every report I read stated that "it is not proved yet whether the virus can be transmitted from people without symptoms"

So the hospital which posted that FAQ knows it better. (point no.: 6)- Everything under control of course. But the German case teach us otherwise.

 

Just heard in the news that this company is doing a logical step and closing down their facilities for a certain period of time until it is clear if anyone else has been infected.