Pathogenicity and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV—A quick overview and comparison with other emerging viruses

Le nouveau Coronavirus Covid-19 : quels risques ophtalmiques ?

“…Like SARS-CoV, Covid-19 spreads by respiratory droplets when patients cough, speak loudly or sneeze. Emerging data suggests that it may also be transmitted by contact between a contaminated hand and the mouth, nose or conjunctiva [4]. However, at this time, the modes of transmission of the Coronavirus Covid-19 are not yet entirely known [4,5].…”

“…Covid-19 is a novel human coronavirus, distinct from the coronaviruses 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, MERSr-CoV (Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus) and SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus). The most frequently reported symptoms are fever (98%), cough (76%) and dyspnea (55%) [1], and the mortality rate is 3% [4]. Aside from respiratory symptoms and fever, the other manifestations are rarer and probably underestimated [5].…”

“…These recommendations pertain to patients potentially infected with Covid-19, but with the extension of the epidemic beyond China and the relatively long asymptomatic incubation period of up to 14 days [4], it will probably be increasingly difficult to identify these patients. Without intending to give rise to paranoia, several questions arise: what is the risk of transmission by asymptomatic patients during the incubation period?…”

“…Ces recommandations concernent les patients potentiellement infectés par le Covid-19, mais avec l'extension de l'épidémie au-delà de la Chine et la période d'incubation asymptomatique relativement longue pouvant aller jusqu'à 14 jours [4], il sera probablement de plus en plus difficile d'identifier ces patients. Sans vouloir céder à la paranoïa, plusieurs questions se posent : quel est le risque de transmission chez les sujets asymptomatiques incubant l'infection ?…”

Are we ready for the new coronavirus?

“…The pathogenicity of COVID-19 is lower than that of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, and a seasonal slowdown of the epidemic, such as influenza outside winter, is possible. Nevertheless, a mutation of the new virus could appear to better adapt to man and enhance its virulence (as happened in SARS) 17 . For now, both appear to follow a similar pattern, with most patients not seriously ill and increased risk of mortality in individuals over 65 years of age with comorbidities or immunosuppression.…”