Main image via The Economic Times

Image via Science Direct / The Coronavirus

The Coronavirus is now a growing concern globally as more people are getting infected by the day. The economy is taking a tumble as investors worry about the future of the economic development, and attention is shifted to the eradication of this new virus. However, there is little information that we know of the virus other than the effects it has on a person and its symptoms.

The virus currently does not have a name to be identified with, but for now the experts call it the 2019-nCoV which stands for “2019 novel coronavirus”. It is called a coronavirus based on the way it is transmitted and it shares the same strain as the MERS and SARS virus. A coronavirus originates from animals, but from time to time these strains are able to mutate and can pass on to humans, and this is the same situation which happened the MERS and SARS virus.

The virus strains are known for targeting the respiratory systems and it is difficult to detect in the early stages as the symptoms are very similar to the common cold. However, it is far from being mild as it can cause pneumonia, kidney failure and even death in severe cases.

Image via Al Jazeera

Fortunately, government officials in China have temporarily shut down transportation to and from Wuhan and also limited travel from 12 other cities as well. There is currently no approved vaccine available yet to cure virus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges all travelers to “practice the usual precautions” at any time.

The public can also view The World Health Organisation’s website for more information on the disease outbreaks and updates on the current coronavirus situation worldwide.

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