Portable Sanitation Association International

Page 3 ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION FEBRUARY 5, 2020 Continued on page 7 What is coronavirus? Coronavirus is the confirmed cause of a respiratory illness. Its symptoms include: • Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath In confirmed cases, people's perception of their illness level has ranged from little to no symptoms to being severely ill and dying. How is the disease spread? Coronavirus was first probably transmitted from animals to people, but it is now being transmitted between people. According to the US Centers for Disease Control: • Most often, when coronavirus is spread from person-to-person it happens among close contacts (about 6 feet). Typically, with most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). With 2019-nCoV, however, there have been reports of spread from an infected patient with no symptoms to a close contact. • Person-to-person spread is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. • It is currently unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. It is also not clear how long the virus is a danger outside the human body. What can be done to decrease the chances of getting the virus? There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. If you are sick, or you are around people who are sick, wear a face mask. Coronavirus and Portable Sanitation…continued from page 1 Electron microscope image of coronavirus. University of Hong Kong.

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