Origin of Coronaviruses:

Where do they come from?

Coronaviruses come from animals. Animals that are infected with
coronaviruses can transmit them to humans. 

Once the virus is transmitted to humans, humans can start spreading

the virus to other humans, and this leads to an outbreak. When this
happens it’s called a “zoonotic spillover event”.
What is the coronavirus?
The word “coronavirus” is a term used to describe a large set
of viruses that cause illness, specifically respiratory illnesses. 

There are different types of coronaviruses. Today, we are

experiencing a coronavirus virus outbreak that is
causing COVID-19.

The word corona in Latin means garland or crown.

Therefore, the pointy projections are similar to the projections
of a crown.
most likely heard of the other coronavirus outbreaks that have occurred.

Example:

MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome):

◦ started in Saudi Arabia in 2012
◦ originated from camels

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome):

◦ started in China in 2003
◦ originated from civet cats
COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019): most current outbreak

started in Wuhan, China in December 2019

origin currently UNKNOWN

◦ Theories: possible seafood source from an animal market in Wuhan, China or from a pangolin (type of anteater)
COVID-19?

Provided care or in close contact with someone with the coronavirus:

 example:

 family member, healthcare worker etc.

Traveled to areas with the virus widespread, living in an area with a widespread outbreak, or
been in close contact with people who have been to the country with widespread cases

Work closely with animals that have the viruses or consuming their uncooked meat
Contact: when a person
who is infected with COVID-
19 coughs, sneezes etc. the
water droplets that contain
the virus can fall onto
surrounding
surfaces/objects. 
How COVID-19
is transmitted?

Respiratory droplets: it
seems the virus is
primarily spread via
droplets.

When a person coughs or

sneezes, it naturally
causes water droplets from
the respiratory system to
be expelled.
Fecal-oral?: It is suspected that the virus may be
shed in an infected person’s stool, which can led
to the transmission route of fecal-oral. This is still
to be determined at this time.
What’s the incubation
period for COVID-19?
The incubation period is when a person first starts showing signs
and symptoms from the time of exposure.

According to the CDC.gov, they state the incubation period seems to

be a minimum of 2 days to up to 14 days. This is why people are
being quarantined for 2 weeks when they are suspected of having
COVID-19. 
Diagnostic
test
Real-time PCR test

 will assess and detect the

genetic material of the
COVID-19 virus
COVID-19 Prevention
Measures and Education

Handwashing (FREQUENTLY)

soap and water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol

based sanitizer

Don’t touch the mouth, nose, or eyes with hands

This helps decrease the risk of transferring the virus

into your respiratory track.
Avoid Avoid close contact with people who are sick (fever and cough)

Stay Stay informed and visit ready

Avoid Avoid travel to high risk areas…if have traveled and feel sick
notify doctor

Stay Stay home if you are sick

Cook Cook meat properly from animals

Ask If patient is showing signs and symptoms, immediately ask

about about travel history
Treatment for
COVID-19

No vaccine currently available

No specific treatment other than

treating the signs and symptoms
(antiviral, respiratory support,
supportive care etc.
References:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). (2020). Retrieved 26 February 2020, from
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.htmlGuzman, J. (2020).

Coronavirus more contagious than SARS or MERS according to the largest study done
so far. Retrieved 20 February 2020, from
https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/483714-coronavirus-
is-more-contagious-than-sars-or-mers