BE RESPONSIBLE How the coronavirus spread, it is most important to follow instructions

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization was reported a cluster of people with pneumonia of unknown cause in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Patients showed symptoms of elevated body temperature, difficulty breathing, and the disease was diagnosed as viral pneumonia. A new coronavirus (COVID-19) that had not previously caused illness in humans was identified.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some of which can cause illness in humans, while others circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely, coronaviruses that circulate among animals can evolve and cause infection in humans, as happened with MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
After that, an epidemic began that affected other parts of China, and cases outside China were also identified in several Asian countries, as well as in Australia, Europe, and North America. The first cases in Europe were confirmed in France on January 24, 2020. The situation is changing daily.

On January 30, 2020, the Director-General of the WHO declared the new coronavirus epidemic a public health emergency of international concern. The following day, in accordance with the Law on Health Protection, the Crisis Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health was formed to take measures to protect the population from the new coronavirus (COVID-19), followed by crisis headquarters of cantonal ministries of health.

The Federal Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of BiH, cantonal ministries of health and public health institutes, as well as the BiH Border Police and the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, is intensively coordinating and implementing measures for early detection of any case of illness caused by the new coronavirus, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

Relevant institutions in the Federation of BiH are in constant contact to implement enhanced epidemiological surveillance, and the recommendations of the World Health Organization are being monitored.
In BiH, 18 people have been infected with the coronavirus, 15 in the entity of RS, and three in the Federation of BiH. Various prevention and precautionary measures are being implemented at all levels, from inspections and entry bans at airports to testing and examinations in hospitals across the country.

Recommendations for the elderly and people with chronic diseases:

- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (at least 20 seconds) or with products containing 70% alcohol if your hands are not visibly dirty; 
-   Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
-   It is necessary to maintain a distance of at least one meter between you and other people, especially those who cough and sneeze;
-   When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with the inner side of your elbow or a disposable tissue – after use, immediately discard the tissue in the trash can and wash your hands;
-   Avoid large groups of people, public gatherings, and staying in enclosed public spaces (crowded public places, shops during peak hours, etc.);
-   You should wear a medical mask if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness (fever, cough, or sneezing);
-   Avoid unnecessary travel and the use of public transport; 
-   It is recommended for this population to skip routine check-ups and visits to family doctors and hospitals, unless urgent medical care is needed. It is recommended to contact a doctor by phone first if a person of this age, or with chronic illnesses, needs a prescription or medical advice.
-   It is recommended to maintain the hygiene of your living space – by occasionally wiping surfaces that are frequently touched by hands with a surface disinfectant. 
-   Based on available data on the new coronavirus (COVID-19), people aged 60+, or those with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, or diabetes, have a higher risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.
-   If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, and have been in China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Germany, France, Spain, or other countries with a high number of infected people in the last 14 days, or have been in close contact with sick people who have come from these areas in the last 14 days, contact your cantonal public health institute or family doctor by phone for further instructions.