The first cases of Coronavirus code-named 2019-nCoV were reported in Wuhan, Hubei province in China early this year after people developed pneumonia without a clear cause and for which existing vaccines or treatments were not effective.
Since then, the virus has spread rapidly in China and by press time, over 2800 people have been infected in and more than 80 deaths from the deadly virus recorded. The virus has since spread to the countries like the USA, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia among a few others.
Although no cases have been reported anywhere in Africa, countries including Uganda have put up screening measures at the airport and all entry points to make sure potential virus carriers are quarantined.
The symptoms of Coronavirus infection include fever, headache, difficulty in breathing, coughing, running nose and sore throat.
The highly infectious virus can be contracted through close body contact (shaking hands, hugs) with the infected person, and sneezing from the infected person can also infect you when you are close since it is airborne as well.
The Ministry of Health has urged the public to do the following in order to prevent themselves from contracting the virus:
Avoid body contact, washing your hands regularly with soap, avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands, staying hydrated and of course, not travelling to China, at least for now.