Coronavirus a world epidemic, an opportunity for Senegal

There is reported fear that some poor countries like Zimbabwe are not prepared to handle coronavirus in the event there is an outbreak like in South Africa. If the virus is already causing havoc in well resourced western countries especially in the sports world it would probably spread like veld fire in poor countries. The ongoing development of hand held test kits at Institut Pasteur in Dakar Senegal in partnership with Mologic based in UK therefore, comes as a great source of relief. 

According to reports by CNN and the BBC hand held rapid test kits that scientists say will diagnose coronavirus within 10 minutes are being developed at Institut Pasteur which would be distributed across the content. In poor countries there is fear that the virus may go unchecked because of the lack of resources like laboratories. But the kits being developed in Senegal do not need electricity or a laboratory analysis to produce results. The kits are expected to be ready by June and some two million will be produced per year.Institut Pasteur is known for accomplishing the "the first isolation of Yellow Fever in Africa and the discovery of Yellow Fever vaccine ." University of Liverpool. 

According to WHO coronavirus belong to a large family of viruses that causes common cold to more severe diseases. " They are also zoonotic meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing." World Health Organisation