Focus on Eyes: Chinese ophthalmologist warned about COVID-19 outbreak
Dr Li Wenliang
WHILE we are all sheltering in our homes amid the COVID-19 outbreak,
we're being bombarded with statistics, news conferences and social media
arguments that make it hard to know what is fact and what is fiction.What we do know is one doctor tried to warn the world in December, and he, too, is now a statistic after dying from the virus in January.
The virus is presumed to have an animal origin with animal-to-human transfer at the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China.
The infection became human-to-human and is now a global pandemic.
It continues to spread throughout the United States with infection and fatalities in many states, including Florida.
A sad and disturbing part of this epidemic is the story of Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, which is the epicenter of COVID-19.
Dr. Li found seven confirmed cases of respiratory disease and coronavirus infection in his hospital in late December 2019.
He messaged his medical school classmates in WeChat, the Chinese social network, on Dec. 30, 2019. His WeChat post was shared in multiple internet platforms and gained wide attention.
The local authorities reprimanded Dr. Li for making false comments on the internet. He was forced to sign a letter of admonition and promised not to repeat the transgression.
After the admonition, Dr. Li went back to work in Wuhan Central Hospital where he examined a patient, who was a storekeeper at Huanan Seafood Market with glaucoma and fever. Sadly, he became infected with coronavirus, which eventually took his life.
The death of Dr. Li generated an outpour of grief and anger.
Many Chinese considered him a hero for being a whistleblower of the COVID-19 outbreak and a victim of authoritative government.
It is difficult to determine whether the ultimate outcome of this epidemic would be different if earlier public health measures were taken.
Just last week, on March 20, Chinese officials offered an apology to Dr. Li's family.
Beijing investigators say Wuhan authorities acted "inadequately" when they reprimanded the late doctor and failed to follow "proper law enforcement procedure."
This story of Dr. Li reminded us all physicians and health care providers have the responsibilities to be alert of new diseases that can affect large segment of the population.
The COVID-19 infection is believed to spread from one person to another through respiratory aerosols from coughing and sneezing.
It could also be transmitted from touching mouth, noses and eyes after contacting objects or surfaces with virus from an infected person.
The virus can cause a severe respiratory disease.
Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is observed in rare patients with COVID-19.
Proper hand washing and not touching one’s face with unwashed hands are measures recommended to prevent infection.
Dr. Frederick Ho, the medical director of Atlantic Eye MD and Atlantic Surgery and Laser Center, is a board certified ophthalmologist. Atlantic Eye MD is located at 8040 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. To make an appointment please call (321) 757-7272. To learn more visit AtlanticEyeMD.com.
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