World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following key preventive measures against novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV):

-Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty

-When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

– Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

-If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

-Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products

-If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China, carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene and stay home until you are recovered, if possible

-Ensure regular hand washing with soap and potable water after touching animals and animal products; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products

Additionally, WHO published information and guidance regarding ‘When and how to use masks’ as described below:

-If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection

-Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing 

-Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

-If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly

-Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

-Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask

-Avoid touching the mask while using it, if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

-Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not re-use single-use masks

-To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of mask), discard immediately in a closed bin; clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

Source: www.who.int

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