WHO is stopping short in declaring a global pandemic on the latest influenza like disease spreading across the world. It has issued emergency and precautionary advice to travels and countries with known cases. Wuhan the epicenter of the deadly coronavirus that is supposedly causing people to fall ill and with some fatality, is now under lock down with another few cities also in similar state right at the time of the nations largest festive celebration.

China is scrambling to contain the spread with preventative measures, by closing roads and transportation in out of these cities, Wuhan travelers who left for the holidays are being asked to return for medical checks and Beijing is holding back Chinese New Year celebration in the capital for fear of outbreak. As of now 1278 cases has been reported in China including 237 in critical condition. Death toll has doubled to 41 within just days and of which 39 in the Hubei Province alone. Reports are coming in from a case discovered in Nepal, 2 case each in France, Vietnam and US and Singapore recording 3 known cases as of now.

There hasn’t been such serious virus disease spread since SARS, which halted global travel and caused panic worldwide when it was first discovered, hospitals and the medical fraternity are better prepared to handle such a pandemic this time around. Symptoms of individuals affected by the coronavirus is similar to hat of SARS,  like fever, respiratory problem, difficulty in breathing and cough. WHO advises people to constantly practice hygiene including wash hands after coughing or sneezing, when caring for the sick, before, during and after preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, when hands are visibly dirty and after handling animals or animal waste.