What Makes it Novel?

cdc.org

The Corona-virus isn’t a new virus but it is a complicated disease and we amateurs should know more about it. For instance: According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information:

On average, more than two new species of human virus are reported every year.Approximately 1400 pathogen species are currently recognized. Fewer than 200 of these are viruses, but novel virus species are being reported in humans at a rate of over two per year, much faster than for other kinds of pathogen.” By March 2020 it had spread throughout all 50 States and continues spreading.

It also reports that on average, more than two new species of human virus are reported every year. Approximately 1400 pathogen species are currently recognized. Fewer than 200 of these are viruses, but novel virus species are being reported in humans at a rate of over two per year, much faster than for other kinds of pathogen (infectious agent). COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease according to the World Health Organization in February 2020 and is an outbreak of Crona-virus.

This recent COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 which is a new discovery (China in December 2019).

Corona viruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several of these viruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these infected objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs or sneezes droplets.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are also common in animals. Occasionally, people get infected and the virus may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. Unfortunately, too little is fully known about Coronaviruses so this helps account for the emphasis on isolation and sanitizers as well as frequent hand washing in case contact has been made, knowingly or otherwise.

It spreads way too easily, is most vulnerable for seniors, becomes dangerous when it moves internally to a vulnerable part of the body. It also spreads via transportation on land, sea and air in our mobile society and raises havoc. This is so unfortunate that we all must take heed!