by S.A.D., Survival Blog:

In this article I will describe how to protect yourself and your family from corona virus and other infectious diseases.

The current outbreak of the novel coronavirus is causing widespread concern and response by public and health authorities. In this article we will cover the following:

1. What is coronavirus?


2. How does it spread?


3. Official response and recommendations for protection


4. Practical, common sense recommendations for individual protection.

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a member of Coronoviridae family. There are currently 16 full genome sequences of the virus published[1]. It is an enveloped RNA virus, one of the largest RNA viruses. The enveloped in this case means that the core of the virus (called a capsid) is surrounded by a lipid membrane with integrated viral surface protein. It is important to note that the integrity of the lipid envelope is vital for the ability to infect host cells. When infection occurs, the virus penetrates the host cell and begins to replicate itself (multiply). Eventually, the new viral particles, or progeny virus, is released from infected cell and go on to infect new cells or are released in the environment.

The 2019-nCoV causes respiratory illness similar to the common cold although it has much higher mortality rate. The symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath. Right now, the information about incubation period is limited, CDC believes that the symptoms can appear between 2 and 14 days after exposure[2], although clinical guidance estimates incubation period of about 5 days (4-7 days in 95% cases)[3].

HOW DOES IT SPREAD?

There is little information on the specific mechanism of transmission of the 2019-nCoV virus[4]. The published reports suggest animal to human transmission as the origin of the outbreak, and human to human transmission as primary mechanism of infection. Other coronaviruses, and other enveloped viruses in general, often transmitted through fine aerosol generated by coughing and sneezing. In addition to direct exposure to the air-borne virus, infection is possible by touching surfaces contaminated with virus-containing aerosol particles and then touching you face, eyes and nose. The typical “dirty hands” transmission route.

One thing important to emphasize is that the 2019-nCoV is not a “super-bug” resistant to everything. It is similar to the other common viruses and the spread can be limited by following good practices.

OFFICIAL RESPONSE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROTECTION

At the time of the writing, the Chinese government put travel restrictions covering as many as 50 million people starting on January 23. In Wuhan and some neighboring cities mandatory restrictions include extension of New Year holiday to reduce travel, and a prohibition of almost all residents from leaving their houses[5]. Only one person per household can leave their residence to shop for food and medicine once in 2 days. The number of reported cases has increased to over 14,500[6] despite the measures to control the spread of infection. It is likely that based on the past issues with accurate reporting of past outbreaks, the number of infected is significantly underreported. There are also unconfirmed reports that that the under-reporting is as high as 100-fold.

World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2019-nCoV outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020[7]. Although they called for countries to not introduce travel and commerce restrictions, number of countries announced significant restrictions on air travel from China.

United States restricted travel from China as of 5:00 PM February 2, 2020[8]. The announcement reads:

Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in Hubei Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine, to ensure they’re provided proper medical care and health screening. To be clear, this applies only to U.S. citizens who have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days.

Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in the rest of mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14 days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk.

Additionally, the President has signed a Presidential Proclamation, using his authority pursuant to Section 212(f) of the Immigration and National Act, temporarily suspending the entry into the United States of foreign nationals who pose a risk of transmitting the 2019 novel coronavirus.

As a result, foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled to China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the U.S. for this time. Once again, these actions will become effective at 5 PM EST, Sunday, February 2.

Recommendations for protections are fairly non-specific and follow normal recommendations for airborne illnesses such as seasonal flu. The recommendations include[9]:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.


• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.


• Stay home when you are sick.


• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.


• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The protocols recommended for hospitals and health care practitioners include the establishment and use of Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR), which are essentially a negative pressure rooms with HEPA filters to minimize the spread of infection. Other recommendations include standard procedures for infection control, cough and sneeze hygiene etc.

PRACTICAL, COMMON SENSE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL PROTECTION

As CDC recommends, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid contact. But we do live in a real world where we need to go to work, send kids to school, do some shopping etc. Therefore, just an isolation for a long period of time is not feasible.

The following suggestions are based on my personal experience working with infectious disease agents (viruses and bacteria) and common-sense risk mitigation. As a disclaimer, I am not a medical doctor. I cannot give medical advice. However, I have been working in research capacity in viral and bacterial vaccine and diagnostics development for over 25 years.

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