Awareness, proper measures needed against coronavirus

The global media has focussed on the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed hundreds of lives in China and several other countries. Leading newspapers including the New York Times and Guardian have had lead stories on various measures to prevent the outbreak. Italy was hit hard with the disease recently as almost 150 Italians were infected by the virus. Nearly 10 cities around Milan were locked down.

Earlier, the number of infected doubled within a day in South Korea, while the virus spread in Iran, Lebanon and Israel very fast. In the meantime, a Bangladeshi has been infected with the virus in United Arab Emirates while five others have been infected in Singapore.

The deadly virus broke out in Hubei province of China, that later became the epicenter of the virus. The air-borne disease was thought to be spread through people. Countries took initiative to restrict in and outgoing of people from China. Yet the virus spread in more than 30 countries. Although the death toll dropped in China, the disease increased in other corners of the world.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been expressed concern as many patients have been infected by coronavirus though they have never been in China.

There has been no case of coronavirus recorded in Bangladesh so far. Even if it is a matter of relief for now, the global spread of the virus is certainly a matter of concern for us. Notably, the virus breaks out fatally in densely populated areas.

The New York Times points out that coronavirus outbreaks have occurred in some of the most densely populated areas in Italy. The success of the entire European continent will depend on the country's success in dealing with this crisis. Therefore, Italy has to prove its capacity.

Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries. Coronavirus infection can bring about a major national catastrophe, which we do not want in any way. That is why we have to take maximum precautions and preparation from now. The government is aware of this. People of Bangladesh were advised to avoid travelling abroad.
At the airport, arrangements have been made for health check-ups and filling health forms for all the arriving passengers. It is necessary to take all kinds of preparations, including detecting coronavirus in hospitals. Initiatives to raise public awareness must be strengthened. Everyone has to be careful. Anyone showing signs of a coronavirus infection should be taken to a hospital, clinics or health centres immediately.

Besides government initiatives, every individual, family and institution must be aware and careful in order to deal with the risk of coronavirus. Special steps need to be taken to raise awareness in the educational institutions and workplaces. Awareness campaigns in the state and private media should stepped up.