In the 1720s, the Black Death ruled France. In the 1820s, cholera broke out and infected many. In the 1920s, influenza ravaged the world. Now, it’s 2020, and this pattern seems to continue with the new novel illness: coronavirus. But what exactly is it?

Recently in December, there was a disease outbreak in Wuhan, China.  The virus is believed by some to have made contact with humans via wet markets—markets with both live and dead animals sold side by side. They get their name because vendors often butcher the live animals in front of customers, making the food extremely fresh. 

The coronavirus is a zoonotic disease: it spreads to people through animals. Thus, the virus most likely found contact through these markets. This strain of the coronavirus is brand new, and therefore many characteristics of the disease are still being studied. The novel coronavirus is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which infected more than 8,000 and killed more than 750 people. 

The first death from the coronavirus was a 61-year-old man who was known for regularly visiting wet markets. However, the Wuhan virus has had no direct ties to wet markets. 13 of 41 infections also had no ties to the market. 

As of Jan. 30, 2020, 7,711 infections in China have been confirmed with 170 deaths. However, the World Health Organization estimates the real infected numbers range from 30,000 to 200,000.

Also, the coronavirus is no longer isolated in China. It has traveled to Australia, Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. 

Normal symptoms range from fever, coughing and breathing difficulties. However, more severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory illness, kidney failure and death. 

And since this is a virus, antibiotics are of no use. The antiviral drugs which were developed to combat influenza are also of no use. Like other coronaviruses, the Wuhan coronavirus spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces and via droplets from breath, coughing and sneezing.

But is it worth following news about this disease? Yes, yes it is.

Since this is a new coronavirus and the infected are either mildly ill or severely ill, health officials are rightfully worried about this virus. Also, the coronavirus has anywhere from a one to 14 day incubation period, making it difficult to track the disease. 

Right now, the true infected numbers are unknown. The mortality rate is also unknown. 

Is it worth worrying about the disease? No, an ordinary citizen should not stress.

Thanks to the recent exposure from media and the WHO, officials are cracking down on the virus. It was expected that the virus would travel outside of China. Some officials have even said that people should be more worried about the current influenza strain. 

Hopefully, the virus shall soon become quarantined and all those infected shall overcome their pathogens.