Wuhan Coronavirus: Tips to Understanding the (Next) Pandemic

Althea Lee Jordan

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An Infectious Diseases Specialist Perspective for Planning for the Next Pandemic

The Emergence of the Wuhan Coronavirus 

The caseload of those infected with 2019-nCoV (aka Wuhan Coronavirus) continue to ascend in an exponential manner in China; 45 cases have now been reported in sixteen other countries in Asia, Australia and France.  In the United States, 5 cases were confirmed Monday (73 pending results), one case in Canada, and now three suspected cases in India.

What began in an animal marketplace in the bustling city of 11 million in Wuhan, China, has developed into 4,515 cases and 106 deaths in China with 976 in serious condition. Public transportation in 17 populous cities in China has been suspended, as the Chinese government grapples with trying to contain the illness.

The first case of 2019-nCoV was reported on December 31st, after a person developed symptoms three weeks earlier (December 8th), along with 27 other cases (suspected) over the course of a few weeks.  2019-nCoV has now approached pandemic proportions.   All of this is happening during one of the busiest times in China, the Lunar New Year.

outbreak-coronavirus-world-2020-01-27

outbreak-coronavirus-world-2020-01-27

Infection Characteristics: A Review of Epidemiology

In order to understand the gravity of the novel coronavirus, it is important to define some epidemiology terms:  attack rate and mortality rate.  The attack rate represents the number of people who acquire an illness divided by the number of those at risk.  The mortality rate is the number of those that have died from the infection divided by the amount of those infected.

Even when a disease has a lower mortality rate, if it has a high attack rate, it can make a severe impact.  The seasonal flu has an estimated attack rate of 10-20%.  This means about one-fifth of the US population may contract influenza during the season!  During the current flu season, the CDC estimates that there have been up to 21 million flu illnesses in the United States, with up to 10 million flu medical visits, 250,000 flu hospitalizations and up to 20,000 deaths related to the flu.

With the amount of cases of seasonal influenza, the mortality rate is around 0.1% (9 cases/100,000).  Thusfar, with the 4,515 cases reported of the 2019-nCoV, there were 106 reported deaths, making the estimated mortality rate 2.3%. This is expected to change, as more cases are identified.  If the attack rate of 2019-nCoV is similar to influenza, it will have a significant impact across the globe if it is not contained.  Diseases with menacingly high mortality rates, such as SARS (10%), Avian flu (59%), and Ebola (50-90%), have lower attack rates, meaning they were not able to affect as many.

What’s particularly more concerning is the amount of severe cases reported, which, if the number is accurate, a rate of 21% of those infected with 2019-nCoV have a more severe infection.  Though, most likely these cases are among the highest risk populations for severe disease, the very old and those with chronic diseases.

Another thing to keep in mind: When epidemiologists determine the above rates, they must ensure an accurate numerator and denominator.  Oftentimes, the first cases that are identified are the more severe cases – making the estimated mortality rate higher than it may actually be.   When you tally up the cases of milder diseases, your denominator increases, and the mortality rate consequently decreases.

An illness that can cause mortality and be spread easily requires preparation and containment strategies.

coronavirus

coronavirus

Was the rapidity of this process predictable?

The first case of 2019-nCoV was believed to have been acquired at a market in Wuhan – and was reported as a novel infection on December 28th.  There were 27 other people that were being evaluated for viral pneumonia during that time.  One day following, a report of a family cluster of six patients who flew from Shenzhen to Wuhan on December 29, 2019, started presenting with influenza like symptoms on January 1, 2020.  None of the family members had contact with markets or animals in Wuhan.  This suggests that they were exposed to secondary cases (i.e. person-to-person) by the time that the primary case was identified as having the novel coronavirus.

Given that this disease emerged during the flu season, it is not unusual that it took some time to differentiate this from the usual viral infections. The usual “shotgun” gene sequencing tests were used including respiratory viral panels.  Samples were sent for further methods to identify it as a novel coronavirus, similar to those of bat origin.

The epidemic was already well into phase 4 sustained human transmission by the time it was identified.  Given that respiratory viruses, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and coronaviruses are transmitted by respiratory droplets as little as 10 microns (micrometers), the diseases can be easily transmitted with casual contact, shaking hands, or touching contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites).  Remember these droplets can get passed not only from the secretions from sneezing or coughing, but also saliva from talking.

Any respiratory disease has the capabilities of exponential spread over a short period.  

What can one do to protect themselves from this scourge?

A simple surgical mask, when worn correctly (sealed well around the nose), can prevent particles larger than 5 microns from entering the mask.  Since respiratory droplets are larger than this size, risk of transmission is expected to be low.  Although an N95 mask offers greater protection for very small particles (0.3 microns), it is likely unnecessary to prevent transmission of 2019-nCoV.  Another important recommendation is for someone who suspects or is suspected of having the infection should comply with using a mask and washing hands after touching his/her face.

Do we need to stock up and “hunker down”?

Preparation for an apocalypse is a common theme in many popular movies and streaming series.  While 2019-nCoV is expected to make a significant wave of disease throughout the world – which is what I gather when I see the case reports double in a day – it is unlikely that it is going to have a major impact on lives.  The virus may transform as it is spreads from human to human – potentially becoming more virulent.  If that were to occur, the dynamics of the attack rate would likely change.  I don’t expect that we will see this with 2019-nCoV.

As for now, my recommendation would be to keep informed of the disease rates while reading the news or listening to the radio.  These rates are constantly being updated throughout the day.  Staying glued to this information is likely not beneficial and may be hazardous to your mental health – increasing fear and panic.

Seasonal influenza has made a greater impact and your likelihood of getting it is much greater too. So if you still haven’t been vaccinated, it is never too late.

Wuhan Coronavirus: An Emerging Global Pandemic?