Government Initiatives and Preparedness for Corona Virus

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TOPIC: General Studies 2

Corona Virus 

Global death toll rises to 427 as confirmed cases reach more than 20,000 in mainland China

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Coronaviruses (CoV) are a “large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

The strains of Coronavirus

Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1960s, belonging to the family of viruses called coronaviridae. They consist of a single-strand of the largest ribonucleic acid (RNA) — a macromolecule that converts the genetic information encoded by DNA into proteins — among viruses. Each virus has spike-like structures called peplomers. Under a microscope, this makes the virus resemble sketches of the sun.

What sets the new strain apart is its ability to spread even during the incubation period before the appearance of any symptoms. This immediately increases its risk of spreading, making it much harder to contain. When symptoms do appear, they include dry cough, fever, and breathing difficulties, but this could quickly escalate to a fatal condition.

Kerala declares emergency: An emergency has been declared in the southern state of Kerala after it was confirmed that a third person had contracted China’s deadly coronavirus.

Steps taken so far

China’s coronavirus crisis is an opportunity for India to ensure epidemic preparedness:

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Connecting the Dots:

  1. Elaborate: “When there is an unknown, people try to fill in the void.”

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