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How do you get the coronavirus? 1:54
(CNN Spanish) - While research is ongoing to find a vaccine to counteract the coronavirus originating in the city of Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued some recommendations to reduce the risk of transmission of animal diseases to humans, about this new coronavirus.
This, because days after WHO was informed of the presence of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause, the Chinese authorities determined that the cause of these diseases was a new coronavirus, which is a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On account of that coronavirus - which is the cousin of another deadly virus called SARS - at least 2,126 have died and the total number of infected worldwide exceeds 75,600.
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Scientists believe that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, MERS, began on camels, according to the WHO. This disease, which was first reported in 2012, left more than 800 deaths and thousands of cases were recorded in 27 countries. With the SARS, meanwhile, scientists suspected that the civet cats were to blame. However, authorities still do not know which animal may have caused the current outbreak in Wuhan.
But, based on “available data and past experiences,” WHO makes these general recommendations to avoid the risk of contagion of emerging pathogens from animals to humans.
1. Hand washing, always!
WHO urges people to always bathe their hands. But, especially speaking of this case, he invites people who visit live animal markets, street markets where there are products of animal origin and that there are fresh products, to wash their hands regularly with soap and drinking water after touching the animals. Also, if people visit these places and are in contact with animals, they are advised not to touch their eyes, nose and mouth with their hands.
"All contact with other animals that may live in the market (for example, stray dogs and cats, rodents, birds or bats) should be strictly avoided," says WHO, which also warns to avoid contact with wastes or liquids that may be contaminated. for these animals in street stalls.
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2. Eat cooked food, preferably
WHO says that "the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided," and if consumed, they should be properly handled to prevent contamination of raw products. It is also important that places that process food follow good food handling practices.
3. If you have pre-existing diseases, avoid going to markets with animals
WHO considers that people who have pre-existing diseases are at a higher risk of "serious manifestations of the disease" due to coronavirus. That is why he says that sick people should avoid going to markets with live animals, having contact with stray or wild animals, and not eating raw animal foods.
This also applies, of course, for travelers and tourists.
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4. Effective protection first
This is a recommendation especially for those who work in treatment plants, slaughterhouses, veterinarians, or with food in markets: deepen protection methods.
WHO recommends that those who handle live animals and animal products have "good personal hygiene practices" such as washing their hands more frequently after having contact with animals and derived products.
With regard to physical protections, WHO recommends that workers wear boots, gloves, masks to handle animals, and that they frequently disinfect these equipment, at least once a day and that these elements remain in the workplace, not in House.
"Employees should avoid exposing their family members to dirty work clothing, shoes or other items that may have been in contact with potentially contaminated material."
Finally, WHO reiterates that sick animals should not be slaughtered for consumption and dead animals should be buried or destroyed in healthy conditions.
coronavirus