As the death rate of the new coronavirus continues to rise every day, it has traced deep fear among huge masses. While so far in India, has reported 3 cases of coronavirus, everyone is looking for specific information on it. Dr. Samit Bhattacharyya (Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics) has been researching infectious diseases for more than a decade.
Here is our exclusive interaction with him...
What do we know about the novel coronavirus?
2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new virus that has not been earlier recognized in humans. Coronaviruses are a group of viruses, which are usually found in animals. Like other respiratory illnesses, 2019-nCoV also causes respiratory difficulties, but in some cases, the infections could because of death. Preliminary evidence suggests that 2019-nCoV is transmitted from wild bats to humans and is now spreading faster from person to person. The virus spreads in the form of tiny droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs. These droplets can travel around a couple of meters and can be inhaled into the lungs. It is true that currently emerging infectious diseases are coming up frequently, and the sources are basically wild animals. There is nothing to get worried about, but one should avoid eating wild animal meats.
What are the precautionary methods to protect yourself?
keep an eye on media coverage especially from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, CDC, WHO, if any new outbreak has occurred anywhere in the world, and should be careful during a traveling to those places, etc. During an outbreak, two processes – isolation and quarantine – are the most effective means to prevent the spread of this new virus. Other preventative measures such as handwashing, disinfection of surfaces, practice respiratory hygiene, wearing a mask, avoiding crowded places might help to reduce the potential transmission of the virus.