The experts of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offer key ideas for health professionals and citizens
The new coronavirus of 2019 (2019-nCoV) is a new respiratory virus that was first identified in Wuhan, China. It is believed that it began through an animal source, the virus is now spreading from person to person. The infection rate continues to increase worldwide, and as with any new virus, public health is the main concern.
The experts at Johns Hopkins Nursing School offer key ideas for health professionals and citizens about how to prevent disease, while remaining ready to face a developing outbreak.
Perhaps the most important thing at this time for US residents. UU. is that they perceive a sense of risk from an infectious agent. Everyone should take measures to reduce the risk of contracting the most common infections circulating at this time of the year, namely the flu and the common cold. "
And simple preventive measures can be very useful.
"Constantly use good hygiene practices such as hand washing and avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth and eyes, as they are entry points for respiratory viruses. "
Having Veenema, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, an internationally recognized expert in preparedness for public health emergencies, says that health professionals should remember the greatest risk that is still on the horizon.
"Every day, health professionals participate in disease surveillance, detection and containment activities in order to protect their patients and their communities from the transmission of infectious diseases. Given the greatest threat of the new coronavirus now in the United States , all health professionals should consider the risk of a larger outbreak. While we constantly maintain standard infection control procedures in your workplace, we must be prepared to respond to a large-scale public health emergency. " .
And according to epidemiological researcher Paul Stamper, MSPH, it's good news that governments around the world are responding as quickly as possible to the information we have about the virus.
"It seems that many health professionals are very involved. The US government is very aware and aware of the situation."
To the People's Republic of China
You are advised:
- Provide more information on the risk management measures adopted by their public administrations, including crisis management systems at national, provincial and municipal levels, as well as other internal measures.
- Improve the execution of rational public health measures in terms of confinement and control of the outbreak.
- Improve surveillance and active case detection throughout its territory, especially during the celebration of the Chinese New Year.
- Collaborate with WHO and its partners to conduct studies that allow to know the epidemiological characteristics and evolution of the outbreak, and, more specifically, to determine the source of this new coronavirus, in particular the animals that act as a reservoir and those involved in transmission zoonotic, as well as the understanding of the extent that contagion can reach between people and, where the virus is being transmitted, the clinical characteristics of the infection and the treatment necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality.
- Continue to provide WHO with complete data on all cases, including viral genome sequences and details on any case or group of cases of infected healthcare professionals.
- Perform screening tests at the exit of the airports and international ports in the affected provinces in order to detect in time those who present symptoms and, subsequently, subject them to a more detailed exploration and treat them if necessary, while trying disturb international traffic as little as possible.
- Encourage detection at airports, railway stations and national long-distance bus stations, as necessary.
To the other countries
More cases exported in any country may be registered. Therefore, all countries must be prepared to adopt confinement measures, such as active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracking and prevention of the 2019-nCoV propagation, as well as to provide WHO with all relevant data.
Under the RSI, countries must provide information to WHO.
Technical recommendations (in English) are offered on the https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 page. Countries should primarily seek to prevent the spread of people, avoid secondary transmission and international propagation and collaborate with the international response through multisectoral communication and collaboration and active participation to increase knowledge about the virus and the disease, as well as to boost investigations. In addition, they should respect WHO recommendations regarding travel [1].
