MALAYSIA has confirmed that four people from Wuhan are infected with the novel coronavirus that originated from the Chinese city and has spread to at least 13 other countries. 

The World Health Organisation said coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

This new virus is zoonotic, which means it can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Here is an explainer on the disease that has resulted in Chinese authorities banning travel to and from Wuhan and 14 other cities in Hubei province.

How did it start?

Wuhan’s Huanan seafood market, selling exotic and wild animals such as snakes, marmots and civets, has been fingered as the source of the virus.

The market has been shut by authorities since January 1 for cleaning.

Recent research has indicated snakes and bats as the animal sources of the epidemic, but this has yet to be confirmed by authorities.

On Wednesday, China announced that the trade of wild animals at wet markets has been banned in the area.

Wuhan now a ghost town

The city has been under lockdown, with residents’ movements restricted.

Bus, subway and ferry services have been suspended, and all outbound flights and train trips cancelled.

The lockdown has been expanded to other cities, affecting some 56 million people in China.

The country is also rushing to build two 1,000-bed hospitals within days.

And, a doctor died nine days after contracting the disease at Hubei Provincial Hospital.

How many people infected? 

According to the latest reports, there are more than 1,300 cases in China with 41 deaths.

Malaysia has reported four cases, and is one of the 14 countries to have detected the virus.

Besides China, the others are the US, France, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Nepal, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macau.

Hong Kong has declared an emergency, which is the city state’s highest warning tier, as authorities beef up measures to reduce the risk of infections spreading. 

Malaysia – the situation so far 

The Health Ministry has confirmed that the four people who contracted the virus are from Wuhan.

Three of them are related to a 66-year-old man who fell ill in Singapore. Those victims are being quarantined and treated at Sg Buloh Hospital, and are in stable condition. 

The three are the Singapore case’s 65-year-old wife and their grandsons, aged 11 and 2. 

 The fourth patient is unrelated to the first three. He is being treated at Johor Baru’s Sultanah Aminah Hospital.

What authorities are doing to prevent spread in Malaysia

AirAsia and Malindo Air have cancelled flights to Wuhan.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd yesterday said extra measures have been put in place at airports. 

The airport operator said it is working with authorities and airlines to screen international passengers at its hubs across the country.

“One of the measures taken by the Health Ministry and supported by Malaysia Airports is the carrying out of thermal screening for arriving passengers and flight crews from China. 

“We have allocated special medical bays for quarantine purposes at the arrival gates to cater to any passengers who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.”

It has also reassigned the arrival gates for incoming flights from China to be nearer to the medical bays, to expedite the quarantine procedure and minimise the risk of exposure.

“Our airline partners are making the necessary announcements to their passengers on board and distributing a Health Alert Card (HAC) issued by the Health Ministry for passengers to declare their current state of health.

“Those who have a fever or cough, or are facing difficulties breathing, will be immediately brought to the nearest hospital upon arrival. 

“The HACs are also distributed at immigration counters.”

It said masks and hand sanitisers have been provided to staff, and placed strategically across terminals.

Preventive measures 

Director-General of Health Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has urged travellers to China to maintain good hygiene by using masks and hand sanitisers, and to avoid crowded places and close contact with those exhibiting symptoms.

Travellers are advised not to visit animal farms, markets that sell live animals and abattoirs, and to refrain from touching any animal.

They are also discouraged from eating raw or semi-cooked meats.

“Get immediate medical attention if you fall ill (displaying respiratory disease symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing) within 14 days of returning from a trip,” said Dr Noor Hisham in a statement.

Those who have travelled and are suffering from symptoms are advised to disclose that information to the doctor. – January 26, 2020.