How many people are infected questions and answers

The Chinese government has now practically sealed off the metropolis of Wuhan. © dpa

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How threatened is Germany by the corona virus?

According to the responsible authorities, who regularly re-evaluate the risk of the virus being introduced, Germany is well prepared for the corona virus. German hospitals and airports are armed with appropriate emergency plans.

Even though there are already 16 confirmed cases nationwide, there is no reason to panic in Germany. The president of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lothar Wieler, said in the ZDF morning magazine that the “danger to the German population is very low”.

The virologist Christian Drosten of the Berline Charité, who is researching the corona virus, warns against considering the geographical distance to China. He also “assumes a realistic pandemic danger”. “You shouldn’t fool yourself,” said Drosten in the RND interview.

The EU prevention agency ECDC classifies the risk for Europe as moderate. Researchers are currently expecting the epidemic to peak in mid-February.

Who is acutely threatened by the corona virus?

In humans, the viruses cause various symptoms ranging from an ordinary cold to potentially fatal respiratory syndromes like Sars or Mers. According to initial findings, the coronavirus poses a serious health hazard to people with a weakened immune system. So far, older and sick people in particular have been among the fatalities of the epidemic.

What symptoms appear in infected people?

The virus is thought to survive up to 24 hours outside the human body. The Sars-like virus is transmitted directly by droplet infection through close contact with those who cough and sneeze. The virus could also be spread via the digestive system, doctors suspect. According to the WHO, the incubation period is two to ten days. Evaluations from China assume that the incubation period can last up to 24 days in rare cases.

Treacherous: The course of the disease is similar to flu symptoms in many cases. Cough, shortness of breath, headache and sore throat are associated with a high fever above 38 degrees. If the doctor also determines that both lungs are inflamed, a disease is likely. But there are also mild courses. The coronavirus is most likely to spread from person to person with a low level.

Taking into account the transmission routes in China, researchers assume that each infected person infects an average of 2.2 other people. The rate is slightly higher than that of common flu, but lower than that of Sars, also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome and genetically part of the new virus family.

What protective measures can I take personally?

Crowds of people should be avoided in the regions affected by the virus (Wuhan, central China’s Hubei province), as should close contact with people who may be ill. The United States Health Department (CDC) advises travelers to Wuhan to avoid animal markets and to avoid contact with animals or with sick people. After eating and using the toilet, the hands should, as usual, be washed thoroughly. A respirator mask can also be worn on public transport.

The masks that can be seen on China’s streets do not fend off fine particles and accordingly do not protect against a droplet infection. According to the WHO, however, it makes sense that people who have already contracted FFP3 masks. This will prevent the virus from spreading.

Is there a travel warning for tourists to China?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a “health emergency of international scope” due to the outbreak of the new lung disease in China. This is linked to specific recommendations to states in order to limit spread across borders as far as possible. This may include border controls, the establishment of specialized treatment centers or possible vaccinations by medical professionals.

Germans should refrain from traveling to China. “If possible, postpone trips to China that are not necessary,” says the Foreign Office’s travel advice. We explicitly warn against visiting the severely affected Hubei province.

Coronavirus: What treatment approaches are there and can you get vaccinated?

The lung disease cannot be treated in the strictest sense, and there is still no vaccination or medication for the coronavirus. In addition, the entire spectrum of symptoms has not yet been properly recorded – at most, a few side effects can be alleviated, for example by taking certain antibiotics. Chinese authorities have approved a drug for clinical trials to treat the novel coronavirus: remdesivir. The drug has alleviated the symptoms of the patients in the first tests.

The new pathogen has a connection to the Sars virus from 2002/2003 – this has advantages in the search for treatment options, as experts say. In this way, knowledge that has already been gained could be used to find substances that inhibit the virus.

Scientists working on coronavirus vaccine

Intensive research is currently underway to develop a vaccine against the coronavirus. So far, scientists have been able to sequence and publish the genome of the virus, says Gavi, the managing director of the international vaccine alliance, Seth Berkley. Australian researchers reported a breakthrough: they were able to reproduce the corona virus. Now a vaccine can be worked with the WHO. According to Gavi, the development of an applicable vaccine will take at least one year.