How to tackle a dangerous virus

No doubt the world is once again witnessing the outbreak of a new virus with a deadliness not witnessed since the SARS virus at the very beginning of the century. Reeling in after the dengue epidemic, Coronavirus presents the country with a new threat. Reportedly, of the 3,000 people who have been infected by this disease so far, the vast majority are living in China. The Chinese city of Wuhan in Eastern China has been the worst affected. The virus is quite similar to SARS, attacking the respiratory system.  

Not surprisingly, the world has gone into a reactive overdrive in order to prevent the disease from becoming a global epidemic, and human beings being the vector of the disease, spread of the virus becomes so much easier, and perhaps more difficult to fight. Some are even touting draconian bans on international travel as one of the ways of preventing its spread.

We believe that the government has taken the timely decision of advising people not to panic. But alongside that, it should go on full gear on the public information mode to make people aware of the ways to take precaution against a virus that causes mainly respiratory illness, according to WHO, and to protect them and those around them. We would hope that the authorities have put into effect all necessary measures to prevent the outbreak in the country including a 100 percent screening of incoming passengers at all ports of entry. We commend the government for its decision to repatriate all Bangladeshis living in Wuhan, but that also depends on them having spent the required period in quarantine in China. However, once that is done the authorities should ensure proper screening before they are allowed to mingle with their family.

Furthermore, we must ensure that should the virus reach Bangladesh, we have doctors and staff ready who can treat the patients in a timely manner and take the necessary precautions to stop it from spreading.