Precautionary, respiratory hygienic practices must to avoid COVID 19 spread: WHO.

ISLAMABAD -- As the deadly novel Coronavirus (COVID 19) continues to stalk the globe, stoking fears among the world community, the world's leading public health agency World Health Organization (WHO) has advised the people to adopt preventive measures to control its further outbreak.

'Every effort to contain the virus and slow the spread saves lives. These efforts give health systems and all of society much needed time to prepare, and researchers more time to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines,' the WHO says in one of its statement.

The WHO reminded all the countries and communities that the spread of this virus can be significantly slowed or even reversed through the implementation of robust containment and control activities.

According to WHO advisory posted on its website, the people should adopt protective measures if they live in, or travel to an area with COVID-19 epidemic.

The new Coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

'The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose,' it says.

The WHO cautions that people of all ages can be infected by the new Coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

'WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene,' it says.

The new Coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the COVID 19, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-in date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new Coronavirus.

However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care.

It also busted a myth that to date there has been neither any information nor evidence to suggest that the new Coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.

It further advises of maintaining at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance...