Chinese authorities have suggested that the ability of a new type of coronavirus to spread increases over time.

“Based on the sequence of the arrangement of the genes, the new type of coronavirus is different from SARS and MERS, it has already moved from the stage of transmission from animals to humans to the stage when it is transmitted from person to person. Apparently, the virus’s spreading ability is increasing, ”said Ma Xiaowei, head of the State Health Committee of China. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.

He added that experts conclude that the outbreak has entered a "relatively serious and complex stage."

Recall that in December 2019, a new coronavirus was detected in China, which received the designation 2019-nCoV. The focus of the disease was Hubei Province, in which five cities have already been cut off from the outside world.

  • Strengthening transport controls in China
  • Reuters
  • © David Stanway

According to the latest data, the number of new-type coronavirus infected exceeded 2000 people. Already 57 people have died from pneumonia caused by the virus, with 52 of these cases occurring in Hubei Province. January 25, it became known that the Chinese authorities temporarily banned bus services between the regions of the country.

To date, there are new types of virus cases in the United States, Japan, Australia, France, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, and Taiwan. It is noteworthy that in the USA and Japan on January 26 new cases of infection with the virus were recorded.

Chinese scientists have found that wild animals were a likely source of coronavirus. The epidemiologists came to such conclusions after studying samples from the seafood market in the city of Wuhan.

According to the Central Television of China, in 33 of 585 studied samples from the market, coronavirus nucleic acids were found.

“There is a high probability that the current epidemic is associated with the trade in wild animals,” RIA Novosti quoted the scientists of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Disease of the PRC as saying.

Incubation period

Representatives of the Chinese Health Committee said that knowledge of the new virus is still limited.

“Speaking from the point of view of knowledge, this is a new disease, the knowledge of mankind is very limited, and the likelihood of a mutation is also unknown,” RIA Novosti quotes deputy head of the state committee Li Bin.

The head of the committee, Xiaowei, also said that as a result of observations of patients, an average incubation period of 10 days has been established. According to him, the shortest period was one day, the longest - 14 days. In this case, coronavirus can be transmitted during the incubation period.

In addition, Chinese scientists talked about the first symptoms of a new virus. According to Xinhua, citing Wuhan University, signs of a cold or flu may appear in the later stages of the disease, and the picture may be different at the beginning.

In particular, among the possible first symptoms are mentioned problems with the digestive system (diarrhea or nausea) and headaches. In some cases, there is an increased heartbeat and tightness in the chest.

Some patients, the agency claims, had only atypical signs and there was no elevated body temperature, as a result of which the presence of the virus could be determined only by the results of additional analyzes.

Against the background of the spread of the virus, Chinese authorities have allowed the possibility of importing personal protective equipment from abroad. Currently, there is a shortage of these goods in China, since the country's production capacities are only 40% full due to the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Thermally processed food and protective equipment

In Russia, no cases of infection with a new type of coronavirus have been recorded.

On the eve of a group of tourists from China hospitalized with suspected SARS in Moscow. During the examination, it became known that type A influenza virus RNA was found in patients. In addition, in Tatarstan, a family of Russians from China sought medical help due to fever, but in their case, SARS was also found.

In connection with the threat of the spread of the virus, Rospotrebnadzor has issued a number of preventive travel recommendations.

The agency advised the Russians to clarify the epidemiological situation when planning foreign trips, use only thermally processed food and bottled water, as well as use respiratory protection and avoid visiting cultural events involving animals.

In addition, Rospotrebnadzor said that Russian scientists have developed two variants of diagnostic kits to determine the presence of a new coronavirus in the human body.

“The kits are based on the molecular genetic research method, the so-called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using this method gives test systems significant advantages, ”the ministry said in a statement.

Among the features of the test, Rospotrebnadzor noted its high sensitivity and the absence of the need to collect blood - a sample from the nasopharynx with a cotton swab is enough. Test results can be obtained 2-4 hours after collecting the material.

At the same time, the government of the Amur Region, which borders with China, announced plans to send back to the PRC residents of the republic whose coronavirus will be suspected upon arrival in Russia.

We are talking about the residents of the Chinese city of Heihe, with whom the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk borders on a visa-free regime. According to the regional government, careful control is observed at checkpoints.

“There will be double control at the Annunciation customs: specialists will assess the condition of people first in each arriving bus, and then at the checkpoint. Chinese citizens suspected of infection will be sent back to Heihe, and the Russians plan to be placed in an isolation ward, and then hospitalized in the boxes of the infectious diseases hospital, ”the government of the Amur Region noted.