All About Coronavirus

How this viral infection could affect you

WHAT IS THE CORONAVIRUS?

It’s part of a diverse family of viruses that cause illnesses from colds to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This particular one originated in animals and started at a food market in Wuhan, China. Called COVID-19, it has never been encountered before.

WHY IS COVID-19 A PROBLEM?

It appears to be fairly easily transmitted via droplets, which spread when infected people sneeze, cough or talk. The droplets can either come into direct contact with people, or they can fall onto objects or surfaces and be picked up by people who touch those objects or surfaces. If they then touch their mouth, eyes or nose they can become infected.

Because it is viral, antibiotics don’t work. Antiviral drugs created to treat the flu may alleviate some symptoms but at the time of publication there are no existing drugs that can treat coronavirus. Scientists are working to develop a vaccine.

The coronavirus can lead to life-threatening problems, including pneumonia, severe respiratory syndrome and kidney failure.

WHAT IS A PANDEMIC?

It’s an outbreak of a highly infectious disease that spreads across a number of continents or even worldwide. Pandemics are often caused by new diseases or mutations of existing viruses, such as the avian u (H5N1).

HAVE WE HAD PANDEMICS IN NEW ZEALAND BEFORE?

Yes. The worst one was the 1918 influenza pandemic. An estimated 30-40% of the population contracted the flu virus and 8600 people died – which was almost half the number of Kiwi deaths during World War I. More than half of those killed were young and previously healthy too.

In 2009, the worldwide swine flu (H1N1) pandemic reached our shores, resulting in 3000 cases and 20 deaths.

WHAT HAPPENS IF COVID-19 BECOMES A PANDEMIC AND SPREADS HERE?