India on high alert after WHO declares Global Health Emergency

AS The Geneva headquartered World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Global Health Emergency following dreaded novel coronavirus spreading across the globe from China, physicians and paramedics point out lack of trained personnel and non-availability of the vaccine. WHO has cited the that the deadly virus has spread to other countries beyond China. Most of the nations have issued advisories asking their nationals avoid visiting the world’s second largest economy. International airliners have suspended to and from operations from China. Russia says it is closing border with China to combat the virus from being impacted the country.Meanwhile in the death toll of the coronavirus has risen to 170 and with a confirmed case in Tibet, the virus has now spread to every region in mainland China, says BBC. India is sending a special aircraft to flyout all the its nationals stranded at Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus. After a student studying in Wuhan University was tested positive in Kerala for novel Coronavirus, the state government has sounded high alert in all districts and stepped up surveillance and prevention activities. This is the first case of novel Coronavirus in the country. Health Minister K K Shailaja told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the medical student from China Wuhan University has been kept in an isolation ward in Thrissur general hospital. She was being shifted to Thrissur Medical College Hospital soon where a special ward has been set up. “She does not have severe symptoms. Her condition is stable,” the minister added. Four persons, who were in contact with the infected student, have also been kept in isolation ward. Of the 20 samples sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, 15 were negative, one positive and results of four are awaited. Health Minister, health secretary and senior officials have left for Thrissur for a high-level meeting to review the situation. Now 1053 persons are under observation and 15 are admitted in isolation ward across Kerala. The preliminary result on the medical student had confirmed coronavirus. The second result is awaited. However, without waiting for that the health department has put in place all precautionary measures. The Chinese city of Wuhan is the epicentre of the outbreak from the Chinese city the virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally, including Thailand, France, the US and Australia. There is no specific cure or vaccine. Several people have recovered after treatment. (with courtesy to Press Association for the picture)