Article Summary
February 7, 2020
2019-nCoV transmission through the ocular surface must not be Ignored
Ophthalmologists in China report a case 2019-nCoV that may have been caused by ocular infection (eyes). Infectious droplet transmission through the conjunctival epithelium was documented previously for SARS-CoV and the authors suggest that precautions should be taken to prevent similar transmission from 2019-nCoV patients. Lu et al. (Feb 6, 2020). 2019-nCoV transmission through the ocular…
Preparedness and vulnerability of African countries against introductions of 2019-nCoV
Preparedness and vulnerability of African countries for the potential importation of 2019-nCoV is evaluated. They use air travel data from affected Chinese provinces, the WHO International Health Regulation and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, and the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index. Countries with the highest risk of importation tended to have moderate to high response capacity while…
February 6, 2020
Nonpharmaceutical measures for pandemic influenza in nonhealthcare settings—personal protective and environmental measures
Personal protective measures assessed were hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and face masks. Environmental hygiene measure assessed was surface and object cleaning with viral disinfectants. While hypothetically promising, in practice, none of the personal protection measures (as used by the general public) appeared to affect influenza spread. Hand hygiene was noted as still effective for other…
Nonpharmaceutical measures for pandemic influenza in nonhealthcare settings—international travel–related measures
International travel measures: No evidence was found that traveler screening was an effective method to prevent spread of pandemic influenza. Travel restrictions limiting the overall movement of people between locations (e.g., strict restrictions on all airline travel) may delay the arrival to a new locale, but does not ultimately prevent it. Complete boarder closure was…
Nonpharmaceutical measures for pandemic influenza in nonhealthcare settings—social distancing measures
The CDC published three early release articles in Emerging Infectious Diseases on nonpharmaceutical measures for pandemic influenza in nonhealthcare settings. Given similarities in modes of transmission and potentially effective prevention strategies, these articles may inform current 2019-nCoV policies. Contact tracing was deemed useful early in an epidemic, or for specific, vulnerable populations, decreasing in utility…
Remdesivir and chloroquine effectively inhibit the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in vitro
In vitro assessments of existing antivirals and selected other drugs found that remdesivir and chloroquine could be effective against 2019-nCoV. Remdeivir is noted as an inhibitor of viral reproduction that is already in clinical development for other severe viral illnesses (e.g., ebola and SARS), whereas chloroquine – a well-established antimalarial – might act by preventing…
Clinical evidence does not support corticosteroid treatment for 2019-nCoV lung injury
Russell, et al. review reasons not to use corticosteroids for treatment of 2019-nCoV, following WHO advice against their use in cases of novel coronavirus. Reasons are based on similarities in the biology and clinical presentation of 2019-nCoV, SARS, and MERS. An addition to other negative clinical outcomes described based on earlier studies, use of corticosteroid…
Chest CT Findings in 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Infections from Wuhan, China: Key Points for the Radiologist
Kanne reviews the current literature on chest image findings for patients with 2019-nCoV lung infections. Overall, the current review finds similarities in chest imaging among 2019-nCoV, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV patients The review supports the common radiograph finding of bilateral lung consolidation. Small pleural effusions may be a sign of worsening clinical condition. From a case…
Origin and evolution of the 2019 novel coronavirus
Based on a phylogenetic analysis (FastTree), Zhang, et al. report finding six 2019-nCoV genotypes based on 27 isolates collected from Wuhan, two other Chinese cities, and one Thai city. They suggest infections outside Wuhan originating from different places in Wuhan. Zhang L, et al. (Feb 3, 2020). Origin and evolution of the 2019 novel coronavirus….
Getting to zero quickly in the 2019-nCov epidemic with vaccines or rapid testing
Chowell, et al. model the effects of potential control measures. With a 100% effective vaccine, 80% coverage could end the epidemic in 6 months. Absent a vaccine, testing and isolation could end the epidemic in a similar timeframe if 90% of symptomatic cases could be reached within 24 hours of symptom onset. Other scenarios are…
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