Why the Coronavirus is Dangerous
Across the board, Asian countries are implementing extensive border bans. The U.S. State Department has advised Americans not to travel. While information about what is happening on the other side of the world trickles over to us, the circumstances surrounding the outbreak in Wuhan remain hazy. Questions about the coronavirus are multiplying by the day. However, through the use of healthcare translation services, government scientists can seek to understand Chinese doctors and scientists operating on the frontlines of the fight against the virus and, hopefully, can one day create a vaccine to prevent future outbreaks.
Thus far, we know the disease has killed over 200 people in China and infected 9,500. Outside of China, the cases detected number around 100 over 16 countries. Research points to the disease spreading fairly easily, but not being as deadly as other diseases of its kind. Experts on disease control, however, warn that fatality rates are harder to estimate in the early stages of an outbreak.
Because the disease has spread to various parts of the globe, healthcare translation is a necessary tool to decode signs of illness. There are certain symptoms including a fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath that lead up to a patient needing hospitalization. As of January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global public health emergency.
The Role of Healthcare Translation Services and Interpretation in Coronavirus
In response to the outbreak, an international team of experts was assembled to go to China and work with experts. There, medical interpreting to learn more about how the disease is transmitted remains a priority. In order to make decisions on this magnitude, life science translation must be able to operate on a global scale. Although there is no specific cure or vaccine, a number of people have recovered after treatment. This shows why exchanging knowledge between countries using multiple avenues facilitated by healthcare translation services is paramount. Only cooperation on a global scale will eradicate this disease.
Chinese doctors are giving patients combinations of HIV drugs and drugs developed to treat Ebola. These have shown promise against coronavirus in animals. Clinical experience in China will show whether any of these help against nCoV. Medical translation of the clinical trials is paramount to convey what Chinese scientists have learned to the rest of the world.
Healthcare translation services help us understand the circumstances that allowed coronavirus to spread. Until a vaccine is developed, we will rely on scientists and researchers to contain the disease.