This 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) probably originally emerged from an animal source but now seems to be spreading from person-to-person.
It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum.
Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.
What is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses.
How 2019-nCoV Spreads
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) affiliated to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services –
- Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS and SARS.
- When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.
- Spread of SARS and MERS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.
- It’s important to note that how easily a virus spreads person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so.
- It’s important to know this in order to better understand the risk associated with this virus. While CDC considers this is a very serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is considered low at this time.
- There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.
(Note – This news is not a medical consultation in any case. You can not make any decision based on this news story. Do not become a doctor yourself, consult a qualified doctor.)
CDC.gov is your online source for credible health information and is the official Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC also guards against international disease transmission, with personnel stationed in more than 25 foreign countries.
