The Coronavirus casualties have crossed 1120 with 45000 more infected with the deadly virus in China alone. The virus that spreads by humans has spread to 25 other countries, the US, Germany, Singapore, France, Japan, Australia, India, Philippines.
Wuhan, the origin of the virus, is a ghost town now, none venturing out of their self-imposed confinement for fear of being infected and imminent death. Many bizarre theories float over the virus including the meltdown of a bio-weapons laboratory built with clandestine support from researchers from reputed Universities of the west, to the uncontrolled bushmeat and wildlife trade in the Wuhan market. The fingers point out at snakes which habitually consume a few bat species or pangolins as the reason for the outbreak of the virus.
People travelling in airplanes could be the most vulnerable carriers of the virus, and many thousands have flown out of China all over the world, presumably a few carrying the potential virus. A few cruise ships with virus affected people are anchored away from any cities to prevent further spread. It takes fourteen days to manifest and attack the human immune system until which time the carriers remain unaware of their new acquisition and spread the virus to others.
The Chinese government is combating a mammoth threat by speedily building new hospitals and disinfecting large affected areas. Wuhan is an out-of-bound city, with all roads leading to it walled up to prevent transport. Many countries have already suspended-the rail services and flights to and from China. The country, it seems, will be severely affected for sometimes to come, their economy taking a beating this year.
My heart goes out to the doctor who first warned about the virus two months ago, and who sadly succumbed to the infection, treating many patients. The other two civil activists who have gone on social networks to expose the tardy Chinese reaction to the virus are under arrest, which is sad. China must reveal real statistics of the cases and the casualties to help other nations follow the spread and to take preventive steps.
The world has come a long way from the 14th century Black Plague which killed between 75 and 200 million people. We have better amenities to combat diseases, but the recent spurt of AIDS, SARS and Ebola did pose a challenge to our abilities as thousands died. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the chief of the World Health Organisation, said that the virus poses a very grave threat, adding that viruses have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action.
There are three cases identified in Kerala, all returnees from China, the affected duly quarantined. Whatever the reason be, the virus has the potential of becoming a pandemic with no foreseeable solution. India must be in readiness with all preventive measures, breathing masks, trained medicos in these type of emergencies, fumigation trucks, medicines and hospitals. The World Health Organization has also helped with funds besides naming the virus Covid-19.
I hope the medical fraternity soon finds a solution to save those affected and prevent further proliferation of the disease.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
