Ever since the inception of humankind on the earth, it has experienced the peak of civilizations to their absolute destructions. Sometimes, it was the technological advancements which took mankind ahead of its time, other times it was wars and epidemics that shattered the communities across the globe. Here we are, in the middle of such a devastating epidemic-turned-pandemic, the COVID-19, commonly known as the Coronavirus disease. We are in the midst of a public health emergency, that has outrageously affected almost the entire world.

On 11^th February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a ‘pandemic’. COVID-19 as it is called, is a combination of alphabets in which ‘CO’ stands for Corona, ‘VI’ for the virus, ‘D’ stands for Disease and ‘19’ represents 2019, the year it was first identified. First found in China at the end of 2019, the virus has affected more than a million people to date in over 200 countries. The number of deaths has risen to more than 50,000. The numbers are growing at an exponential rate.

So, what exactly is Coronavirus? Where did it come from? What are the symptoms of the disease it causes? These, along with many other questions are yet to be answered by the health experts. Since the start of this epidemic, a lot of research has been carried out around the globe and the potentially life-threatening risk it causes. Scientists and researchers are trying their best to find out more about the disease and its cure.

Prevention and Control: Coronavirus The Experts’ Guide by Wang Zhou & Nanshan Zhong (Translated by Shan Zhu, Qing Chen, Jun Li):

In these challenging times, Chinese physician, Wang Zhou who is the Chief Physician in Wuhan’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr Zhong Nanshan, a Chinese Pulmonologist who earned international fame for managing the SARS outbreak and was an advisor in managing the COVID-19 crisis in China, compiled their research in a book named, Prevention and Control: Coronavirus The Experts’ Guide.

In this book recently released by Austin Macauley, these researchers and leading health care specialists have discussed the disease in all its aspects. The six key features include the emergence of disease, advancement of the virus, the identification and management of infection, protection at home and inhibiting spread in public places.

The first aspect involves an overview of the virus, its types, shape, classification, modes of transmission and its spread. The second feature includes the transmission of COVID-19 in detail. It tells us about community-acquired pneumonia, pathogens involved in it, risk factors and epidemiological characteristics of the virus. Then it refers to the detection of virus clinically, it’s treatment, clinical criteria for quarantine release and discharge. The book provides guidelines to medical personnel too, which must be very beneficial as there is little knowledge about the control measures, vaccination and cures of COVID-19. From the selection and usage of masks to its disposal, cross infection control, protective clothing and the quarantine regime is also discussed in detail. From the general public to health care professionals, it’s a well-informed book for all looking to know more about not only the science but how the disease started and spread.

So far, countries that are greatly affected by the novel Coronavirus include the U.S.A with 187,302 patients, Italy with 110,574, Spain with 102,136 and China with 82,724 cases. They are followed by Germany, France, U.K and Iran. From stocks to jobs and emerging markets, the Coronavirus has a significant impact on the global economy. The number of patients is growing rapidly. The economic impact is already more severe than SARS or MERS. The political consequences are harder to predict but could be significant and long-lasting.

In a nutshell, the deadly virus is wreaking havoc in every part of the world. The scientists and health workers are researching on developing vaccines, antidotes and other measures to contain the lethal effects of this virus. To get a better idea of everything related to novel Coronavirus and COVID-19, right from its epicentre of origin, we recommend our readers to have a copy of this book, Prevention and Control: Coronavirus The Experts’ Guide.

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We wish all our readers a safe and healthy quarantine period!