Doctors' body warns of possible spread of coronavirus to Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, Jan 30 (PTI) A doctors' body on Thursday warned that re was a potential threat of vel coronavirus spreing to Kashmir as tourists from around world visit valley.

President of Doctors Association of Kashmir (DAK) Suhail Naik said China is located near India and re were chances of coronavirus reaching valley as it is a tourist destination.

"Following recent outbreak of coronavirus in China, re is a potential threat of vel virus in Kashmir as people from different parts of world come here as tourists," he said in a statement.

"Many countries have direct air travel with Kashmir. So coronavirus may come to Kashmir by that way and we have to take care before it is too late," he said.

Naik said although case of coronavirus has been reported in valley yet, government particularly health department needs to be prepared for any emergency.

vel coronavirus (nCoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from common cold to acute respiratory syndromes. virus is a vel strain and t seen before, he said.

chief of DAK said virus can be passed between humans through close contact.

"It is imperative that government and specifically health department should be prepared for handling situation," he said.

Naik said virus does t seem to pass easily from person to person unless re is close contact, such as occurs when providing unprotected care to patients.

common symptoms of vel coronavirus include respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

He said re have been clusters of cases in healthcare facilities, where human to human transmission appears to have occurred, especially when infection prevention and control practices are inequate. PTI MIJ SNE

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