Since the early spring of last year, a new strain of the coronavirus has infected 15 people in the Middle East and United Kingdom. So far, nine people have died from severe chest infections similar to pneumonia as a result of the virus. And that means there’s growing concern.
Right now, the international community is closely monitoring the virus to find out where it comes from and how it spreads. To date, neither the CDC nor the World Health Organization have issued travel health warnings to countries where the virus has been documented.
Coronaviruses are fairly common viruses that affect the upper-respiratory tract, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and a fever. In some cases, coronaviruses can result in pneumonia, which is more common among those with weak immune systems, such as the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that most people eventually get one type of this virus at some point during their lives.
Currently, there have been no reports of the virus in the United States.
However, you should still take precaution in preventing the spread of bacteria and also protect yourself by:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick
