Ministry of Health introduces health screening measures for passengers disembarking from flights

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services says they are introducing additional health screening measures for passengers disembarking from flights that originate in Hong Kong and Singapore as cases of coronavirus continue to rise in different parts of the world.

Coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China has killed 17 people and infected more than 540.

The Ministry of Health says there are no direct flights from Wuhan to Fiji, however, they do have flights from Hong Kong and Singapore that may serve as connections for passengers from Wuhan.

It says passengers on these flights will be met upon arrival by their officers, who will review the health declaration on immigration cards and request information on recent travel to Wuhan.

Passengers who have recently traveled to Wuhan and are suspected to have the disease will be managed according to existing protocols.

The Ministry says travellers from Wuhan who are not ill will be given information about the disease and what to do if they develop symptoms later.

These measures may change as the situation develops.

The Ministry of Health says border health screening may not absolutely prevent cases from entering Fiji because a person who has been exposed to the virus may be completely well for about 7-14 days before they have any symptoms of the disease.

The Ministry says they have also alerted their healthcare to be extra vigilant should there be a member of the public presenting with symptoms of the disease including prior history of travel to Wuhan.

Early detection and response will help prevent any further spread in Fiji. 

The Ministry is advising Fijians against travelling to Wuhan in Hubei province China.

There is currently no vaccine against this new disease, but the Ministry is advising Fijians to practice the following hygiene measures that will also prevent infection with a number of other diseases:

•    Cover your mouth and nose with tissue, sleeve, or elbow when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue into a close bin after use. Clean hands after coughing and sneezing and when caring for the sick

•    Wash your hands with soap and running water if visibly dirty. If your hands are not visibly dirty, wash them with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand cleanser.

What is a coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common among animals. In rare cases, they are what scientists call zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted from animals to humans, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Coronavirus symptoms

The viruses can make people sick, usually with a mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold.

Coronavirus symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days.

For those with a weakened immune system, the elderly and the very young, there's a chance the virus could cause a lower, and much more serious, respiratory tract illness like a pneumonia or bronchitis.

There are a handful of human coronaviruses that are known to be deadly.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, also known as the MERS virus, was first reported in the Middle East in 2012 and also causes respiratory problems, but those symptoms are much more severe.

Three to four out of every 10 patients infected with MERS died, according to the CDC.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as SARS, is the other coronavirus that can cause more severe symptoms.

First identified in the Guangdong province in southern China, according to the WHO, it causes respiratory problems but can also cause diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath, respiratory distress and kidney failure. Depending on the patient's age, the death rate with SARS ranged from 0-50% of the cases, with older people being the most vulnerable.

How it spreads

Viruses can spread from human contact with animals. Scientists think MERS started in camels, according to the WHO. With SARS, scientists suspected civet cats were to blame.

When it comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often it happens when someone comes into contact with the infected person's secretions.

Depending on how virulent the virus is, a cough, sneeze or handshake could cause exposure. The virus can also be transmitted by touching something an infected person has touched and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Caregivers can sometimes be exposed by handling a patient's waste, according to the CDC.

Coronavirus treatment

There is no specific treatment. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own.

If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see your doctor.

How can you can prevent it

There is no vaccine to protect against this family of viruses, at least not yet.

Trials for a MERS vaccine are underway.

You may be able to reduce your risk of infection by avoiding people who are sick.

Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands often with soap and water and for at least 20 seconds.

If you are sick, stay home and avoid crowds and contact with others.

Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and disinfect the objects and surfaces you touch.

Coronavirus and pregnancy

In pregnant women, the more severe versions of MERS and SARS coronaviruses can be serious.

There are cases in which a woman infected with MERS had a stillbirth, a 2014 study showed.

SARS-associated illnesses were linked to cases of spontaneous abortion, maternal death and critical maternal illness, a 2004 study found.

Coronavirus and cats, dogs and other animals

Pets can catch coronaviruses and the infections can become severe.

Sometimes the viruses can lead to deadly diseases. One can cause feline infectious peritonitis in cats and something called a pantropic canine coronavirus can infect cats and dogs, according to a 2011 study.

Cats can catch SARS, but none of the infected cats developed symptoms, according to the study.

The feline coronavirus typically is asymptomatic, but can cause mild diarrhea.

Feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP, can cause flu-like symptoms for a cat, but can also be more serious for cats and can cause organ failure, but it is not contagious and will not spread from animal to animal or person to person.

Pantropic canine coronavirus that can impact cats and dogs can be fatal to dogs, studies show. These particular dog and cat viruses don't seem to spread to humans.