The Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has expressed solidarity with the people of China in their fight against the dreadful coronavirus by conducting a "Solidarity Day with China" through an awareness session on "Coronavirus devastations and preventions" on Monday.

Brig Prof Waheed-Uz-Zaman Tariq, an expert and a leading pathologist and virologist, was the keynote speaker while the Deputy Consul-General of China, Peng Zhengwu, attended the event as chief guest.

Brig Prof Waheed-Uz-Zaman said corona viruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known corona viruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

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.

He further discussed standard recommendations to prevent the infection from spreading which includes regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. One must avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Chinese Deputy Consul General Peng Zhengwu appreciated the Pakistan-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry for observing a solidarity day in the midst of the prevailing calamity of coronavirus.