Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The Novel Coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus not previously identified in humans.

Initial human infections were believed to be acquired from exposure to animals at a live animal market in Wuhan, however on 20 January 2020, authorities confirmed the virus is now spreading person-to-person. The strength of how easily the virus spreads between humans is still unknown.

It is believed the main form of transmission is via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs. This is similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. As investigations into the virus remain ongoing, there is still a lot to learn about the transmissibility, severity and other features related to the Novel Coronavirus.

Common symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can cause pneumonia, kidney failure, and even death. Current evidence suggests that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

As the situation is rapidly evolving, the World Health Organization recommends not travelling to Hubei Province.

The World Health Organization recommends reducing exposure and transmission of Novel Coronavirus by doing the following:

• Frequently clean your hands by either using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• Cover your mouth with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing (if using a tissue, throw it away immediately and wash your hands)
• Avoid contact with anyone who has a fever or cough
• Seek medical care early if you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing
• Share your travel history with your healthcare provider
• Avoid contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with live animals when visiting markets
• Make sure all animals products are fully cooked (including meats and eggs)
• Practice safe food handling and avoid cross-contamination
• Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices

It is also now mandatory in Guangzhou to wear a face mask in public places.

It is important to share this information with your children so that they understand how they can prevent exposure and transmission of Novel Coronavirus.

Novel Coronavirus (World Health Organization)
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public (World Health Organization)

World Health Organization (WHO) Twitter Feed