SARS COV-2: Epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, therapeutics, prevention and one health perspective with reference to meat industry

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been identified as the cause of a pandemic of respiratory illness. It has been declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. The reported symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, pneumonia, headache, diarrhea, hemoptysis, and dyspnea. The human-to-human transmission has been described via droplets, contaminated hands or surfaces. The incubation times ranges between 2-14 days. Early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive treatments are required to cure patients. Treatments, including antiviral agents, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, monoclonal antibodies, and convalescent plasma transfusion have been used for successful treatment of the patients. Preventive measures such as masks, hand hygiene practices, avoidance of public contact, case detection, contact tracing, and quarantines have been discussed as ways to reduce transmission. The pandemic has impacted on the meat industry. The event demands urgent implementation of a multidisciplinary team in a One Health approach to address the present-day challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. We reviewed the literature on the epidemiology, the disease, diagnosis, therapeutics and mitigation strategies of COVID-19. Although many studies are relevant to control the current public emergency, more research is needed to provide valid and reliable ways to manage this kind of public health emergency in both the short- and long-term.