Hariyana-CHO-2021
Applied Microbiology & Infection control (E5)
Easy

The first known Infection from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in?

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

  • The first cluster of human infections from the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was identified in Wuhan, China.
  • These initial cases, presenting as pneumonia of unknown cause, were reported in December 2019.
  • Epidemiological studies linked many early cases to a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan, suggesting an initial animal-to-human transmission.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) was officially notified by China at the end of December 2019.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Holland (the Netherlands) reported its first case of COVID-19 on February 27, 2020, two months after the initial outbreak in Wuhan.
  • Option C: Germany's first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported on January 27, 2020, which was subsequent to the initial discovery in China.
  • Option D: Britain (the United Kingdom) confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 on January 31, 2020, after the virus had already been identified and begun to spread from Wuhan.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: Knowing Origin of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
  • Early recognition of emerging infectious diseases heavily relies on astute clinical observation and obtaining a thorough patient history, including recent travel or exposure to individuals who have traveled.
  • Nurses are on the front line of infection control. Key nursing actions during an outbreak include prompt isolation of suspected cases, meticulous use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), strict hand hygiene, and immediate notification of the infection control department.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of public health infrastructure, global cooperation, and rapid development and distribution of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question based on a major recent event in global public health.
  • First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the geographical origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • Recall or deduce the timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic began in late 2019 and spread globally throughout 2020.
  • Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. Wuhan, China, is widely known as the location where the first cluster of cases was identified.
  • The other options (Holland, Germany, Britain) are European countries that experienced outbreaks later, in early 2020, as the virus spread from its origin.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Origin of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • Stem keywords: first known infection, SARS-CoV-2
  • Lead-in keywords: discovered in

Question ID

QM59rf57iveeIqqA5YX0Ji

Reference Book

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 1-3

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 360-362

Practise the full Hariyana-CHO-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.