WHO warns against blanket measures, says new coronavirus ‘less deadly’ than SARS, MERS

WHO officials rejected the suggestion that all cruises should be halted to avoid spread of coronavirus infections.

By: Longjam Dineshwori | | Updated: February 18, 2020 6:04 pm

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

The death toll due to the new coronavirus ( COVID-19) has reached 1,868 in mainland China, and as many as 72,436 people have been infected so far, as per the latest reports.

How bad Was the SARS, MERS epidemic ?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Wuhan coronavirus or nCoV-2019 is the latest member of this family (number seventh) and the most severe one. Other deadly viruses of this family include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

In late 2003, SARS-CoV first infected people in the Guangdong province of southern China and spread to more than two dozen countries. The epidemic of SARS resulted in more than 8000 cases, killing nearly 800.

Following detailed investigations, researchers found that SARS-CoV transmitted from civet cats to humans. They assumed that civet cats got infected from bats – which are frequent carriers hosts of coronaviruses. There has been no cases of SARS worldwide since 2004.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), also called camel flu, is a viral respiratory infection caused by the MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). While it is believed to be transmitted from camels to humans, it is unclear how. As of April 4, 2017, nearly 2000 cases have been reported. About 36% of those who are diagnosed with the disease die from it. The infection was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia and most cases have occurred in the Arabian Peninsula.

With inputs from agencies

Published : February 18, 2020 6:04 pm | Updated:February 18, 2020 6:04 pm

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