LOS ANGELES – Amid global coronavirus fears there has been a lot of talk about how people are catching the virus and the far-reaching economic effects.

Around the world there are currently more than 75,000 coronavirus cases with the death toll rising past 2,000 people. Diamond Princess Cruise Ship cases are now at 621 of the 3,700 people on board.

In the U.S. alone there are 15 cases that have tested positive. Here in Southern California, the University of California system has suspended all study-abroad programs in China.

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The leading neurosurgeon in Wuhan working on the virus research died on Tuesday from coronavirus-relate pneumonia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at the current rate, China could face a scarcity of supplies to treat the virus.

A North Carolina cigarette brand, Reynolds American, which manufactures Camel and Newport cigarettes is stepping in to help. The company is injecting tobacco plants with a genetically-modified coronavirus strain to see if it can produce antibodies for a vaccine. Previously, the company tried this same tactic in 2015 for Ebola.

What the Coronavirus Does to Your Body

In the first few days of the infection, the virus takes over lung cells. According to the World Health Organization, the virus is similar to SARS as it infects and kills cilia cells.

Cilia cells clear out debris like pollen that sticks to the mucus that lines and protects healthy lung cells. Preliminary symptoms includes shortness of breath, rapidly followed by pneumonia.

The second phase of the virus is the body’s fight-or-flight response. The body floods the lungs with immune cells to repair damaged tissues, which can shock the system to kill healthy tissue.

As the pneumonia worsens there is little resistance to fight the virus. Therefore the body basically starts working against itself.

The final phase is respiratory failure, if not death from permanent lung damage. The body’s lungs fill with fluid making it unable to oxygenate the blood.

The body bleeds out its blood vessels while the inflammation affects the circulatory system. The virus can easily jump vascular organs, like the liver and the kidneys.

There is no word yet if there is a fourth stage affecting the stomach lining, like SARS. Additionally, health officials are not sure if the virus can spread via stool.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to stay healthy.