Prof. Dr. Mustafa Oral Öncül made explanations about the precautions to be taken for the coronavirus outbreak. He also talked about the conscious actions to do in the emerging panic environment.

The coronavirus outbreak, which spread to many countries in the world in recent days, caused quarantines and other serious developments such as countries closing their border crossings. International concern about coronavirus in the media about the epidemic also caused a panic environment. Istanbul University Vice-Rector, Prof. Dr. Mustafa Oral Öncül, at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, made explanations about the measures to be taken to protect people from coronavirus outbreak. He also talked about the precautions to be taken in the fight against coronavirus and pointed out what a conscious movement is.

According to the latest data, the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China, spread to 42 countries around the world. Coronavirus, which affected about 83,000 people since its emergence and caused 2,900 people to lose their lives in the world, brought about a social anxiety in our country after spreading to the neighboring countries of Turkey. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Oral Öncül stated that coronavirus is in fact, the name of a common virus known as cold and mild symptoms of the upper respiratory system. Prof. Dr. Öncül stated that the new coronavirus, called” Covid-19", is different from other known coronaviruses. ‘’Because of some mutations, the effects of new coronavirus are now different’’. Prof. Dr. Öncül emphasized that this virus differs from other viruses in that it can cause deaths and it can spread rapidly, especially in patients with weak immune systems and patients with respiratory problems.

The Disease Might Be Overcome with Mild Symptoms in 4 Patient Out of 5 Patients

The new coronavirus can lead to deaths due to serious lung infections in more sensitive patients with a high risk of infection. Prof. Dr. Öncül said, “We see the signs of fever at 85 percent or 90 percent of the patients affected by the new coronavirus”. This disease might be overcome with very mild symptoms in 4 out of 5 patients in other patient groups. We encounter important findings, such as respiratory failure and cough in terms of diagnosis. This disease usually holds on the lower respiratory tract. On the other hand, the more severe disease at patients with high risk may require admission to intensive care for reasons arising from respiratory failure. However, we have to say that the virus has a low killing rate now. At the beginning, it was around 2.4-2.5 percent, but according to the latest information, this rate is 4.3 percent. It is also possible that this rate is low considering that the disease only affects patients with high risk potential.’’

Prof. Dr Öncül added that, there is no cure for the new coronavirus now, but some studies for the treatment of the disease continue. Prof. Dr. Öncül said that China and Japan tried two different products for the disease. With these studies, some positive responses were recorded from the agents used in the latest Ebola virus. Prof. Öncül said “Treatment studies are ongoing, but unfortunately we do not have an approved, licensed drug yet”.

“We Must Wash Our Hands For At Least 20 Seconds” Each Time

Prof. Dr. Öncül said that in order to protect against new coronavirus, taking individual measures and social sensitivity are both important. Dr. Öncül stated that, the most important act in virus protection is to prevent the entry of the virus to the body and if the entry can’t be blocked, we should resort to the methods that will prevent its hold in the respiratory tract. He said: “In this sense, it is of great importance to take measures in terms of personal hygiene. We need to take high protection measures in areas where the virus can be transmitted and spread. The virus can spread to the environment and remain there after sneezing and coughing. Although the virus that does not last very long and can lose its viability within hours, it is possible to carry these viruses into our own respiratory tract with our hands. That's why hand cleaning is very important. We must wash our hands with soap under water for at least 20 seconds each time, covering all areas such as fingertips and palms. Another important point is to make mouth and nose gargle. Because the washing of the nasopharyngeal part can be quite effective for the elimination of these viruses.”

“Not Everyone Needs to Wear Masks for Prevention”

Prof. Dr. Öncül also informed us about the use of masks, which is another issue that is ambiguous for the society. Prof. Dr. Öncül said” If you are sensitive, your immune system is suppressed, or if you are a lung patient, the mask should definitely be used”. Prof. Öncül stated that surgical masks are enough in this respect because the virus is a droplet-transmitted virus. In the case of an encounter with such a patient, the mask should be used to prevent the transmission of the virus through droplets. Dr. Öncül underlined that there is no need for everyone in the society to wear masks.

Prof. Dr. Öncül added,’’ The new coronavirus, bird flu, SARS, MERS-CoV viruses seen in the past, and the swine flu that still continue to affect today, all emergencies in China, and there are some theories which might explain this issue. There are views that animals carrying viruses are more likely to be settled in those regions or eating habits in this region are causing this. "Prof. Dr. Öncül added that there is no scientific study that explains this situation clearly yet.

"There Must Be No Panic”

As the number of countries where the virus is seen increases, Prof. Dr. Öncül stated that there was no need to create such an atmosphere of panic: “The impression of a worrying environment was created in the community during the outbreak. When we watch TV, we see images showing a young person walking on the pavement and falling there. Obviously, we don't experience sudden deaths from such a viral disease. These are in fact, the methods used to raise the awareness of the community on this issue. What needs to be done here is to take rational measures using the scientific methodologies. According to the latest data, the coronavirus, which has spread to 42 countries, has spread as far as Brazil, has located in the Southern Hemisphere below the Equator. This suggests that the virus may have caused the pandemic. The new coronavirus is similar in structure past SARS and MERS-CoV viruses. In fact, this virus, seen in animals, can spread between humans by undergoing metamorphosis. Although it is possible to consider this as an alarming situation, we can easily overcome it by using logical and scientific methods.”

The Ministry of Health Took the Necessary Measures

"One of the developments after the coronavirus outbreak is that countries closed their border crossings to prevent the spread of the virus. People suspect that the virus may also be present in Turkey, following cases of coronavirus outbreaks in countries such as Italy, Greece and Iran. At this point, people are taking protective measures and the social awareness is also increased. Besides this, the Ministry of Health has also taken the necessary measures. For instance, they control the transportation process that can lead to the transfer of patients from risky countries. Prof. Dr Öncül said, “At airports, fever measurements are made with thermal cameras and symptomatic patients are taken under control. In eastern Iran, such an epidemic has advanced. In relation to this, the entrances and exits were blocked and controlled, and two field hospitals were created there. We see that isolation of suspicious patients is extremely important for early control. Such isolation of 14 days is very significant in terms of early detection and protection of this disease. A scientific board was also established by doctors and the experts of the subject. All kinds of informative forms about the disease were created. A detailed study was done on the definition of the disease, about ways to recognize the disease and apply personal and social methods of prevention. These are extremely successful steps for the prevention of the disease.

“We Must Produce Our Own Vaccine”

‘’Mutations in coronavirus and other virus species thereafter will continue’’. Prof. Dr. Öncül emphasized that Turkey should produce its own vaccine.” Just as we are making our national defense industry strong, we are armed, we need to be armed against these viral agents, too. So; we need to produce our own vaccine. " Prof. Dr. Öncül pointed out that Turkey can take early measures against any threat that may develop when Turkey produces its own vaccine and added that investments should be made in this regard technologically.

“We Will Eventually Encounter Coronavirus”

Prof. Dr. Öncül stated that panic and chaos atmosphere should not be created. He concluded his speech as follows: "As Turkey, we will eventually encounter this virus. We should accept that. Even if the controls are maintained, the virus has a period of 4-5 days, which we call the incubation period. During this time, patients who have not been ill yet will enter the country without getting noticed. This means that we will encounter these patients one way or another. Still, the fact that we're facing a situation like this shouldn't create chaos. In such cases, the patients, hospitals, and the treatment issues will all be determined by the experts. The Ministry of Health is aware of this. We have all kinds of medical supplies that can handle this process. So, we've done our homework. Since the infrastructure of all kinds of requirements is prepared, I think we will carry out a successful fight on this issue. And I believe that after a while, this virus will disappear.”

05.03.2020

The coronavirus disease, which emerged in Wuhan, China and spread to many countries and caused deaths, is one of the top issues on the global agenda. The virus affected 11,860 people in total and killed 259 people. Therefore, the curiosity about the virus is increasing day by day. Head of the department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology in the Istanbul University Istanbul Medical Faculty Prof. Dr. Haluk Eraksoy gave information about the emergence, spread, symptoms and ways of protection of the new coronavirus.

The new coronavirus came on the agenda in Wuhan, China on the 31st December 2019 with the detection of pneumonia findings at 4 people who are connected with and visiting market where live animals and their products are sold. On January 7, 2020, it was understood that the virus that spread to many countries in the world and caused deaths belonged to the “coronavirus family” after examining the samples taken from patients. And this new virus was called “new coronavirus 2019”, namely 2019-nCoV.

Stating that coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause disease in humans, Prof. Dr. Haluk Eraksoy said that coronaviruses circulating among some animal species such as bats; also gained the ability to infect to people, by changing over time. He noted that coronaviruses can pose a threat if they gain the ability to spread from person to person. Prof. Dr. Eraksoy said, “Four of the coronaviruses that can cause disease in humans lead to cold or flu. Two coronaviruses which are called SARS and MERS shortly, are the cause of more severe respiratory diseases. It was understood that musk cats were the source of SARS, and camels were the source of MERS.”

Countries Where Coronavirus Is Seen

Stating that the 7th coronavirus was seen in China and 259 of 11,860 people affected by this virus were confirmed, Prof. Dr. Eraksoy said that all deaths occurred in China. And he also stated that the countries where the disease occurred and the number of patients are as follows: “1988 in China, 6 in Taiwan, 5 in Thailand, 4 in Australia, Malaysia and Singapore, 3 in France, 2 in the USA and Vietnam, 3 in Japan and South Korea,1 in Canada and Nepal. ”

“The Disease Shows itself with Fever, Cough and Shortness of Breath”

Prof. Dr. Eraksoy made statements about the symptoms of the new coronavirus-related disease and he noted that the disease manifested itself with 39 degrees of fever, cough, and shortness of breath which begins suddenly after an incubation period of 2-14 days. Underlining that in some patients there may be sore throat and runny nose, Prof. Dr. Eraksoy said, "Almost all of the seriously ill and deceased people are elderly or people with lung diseases, organ failure, cancer and diabetes." He also stated that the disease is relatively mild in young healthy adults.

“Close Contact more than 2 Meters Is Required for the Infection”

Stating that the new coronavirus is thought to be infected by respiratory secretions, Prof. Dr. Eraksoy emphasized that viruses spread to the environment through coughs, sneezes, and speech and infect healthy people and cause them to get sick, in the end. He said, “In order to the disease to be transmitted from person to person in this way, close contact of more than 2 meters is required.”

“Coronavirus Did Not Spread in Our Country”

Things to do to protect against the new coronavirus are also a matter of curiosity. Noting that coronavirus didn't spread in our country, Prof. Dr. Eraksoy said, “There is no vaccine to prevent disease, and for now, the most effective method is to avoid contact with sick people. To be protected not only from the new coronavirus but also from all other respiratory viruses, it is necessary to pay attention, especially hand cleaning."

19.02.2020