First case of mystery Chinese virus diagnosed in US
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A man returning from China has become the first person in the US to be diagnosed with a mystery new virus.
Chinese state media say the latest strain in different from those identified in the past.
The outbreak has already spread to other Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
Officials in China confirmed on Monday that the virus, which has no cure, can spread between humans.
The American citizen, in his 30s, is in good condition in hospital near Seattle after returning last week, according to health officials.
He did not show any symptoms when he arrived back on Wednesday, but contacted doctors on Sunday when he felt unwell.
He is not considered a threat to medical staff or the public.
Nine people have died from the illness in Wuhan, the capital of China’s central Hubei province, most of them aged 60 or older, including some with a previous medical condition.
Four hundred and forty people have been infected so far, with cases identified in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan – all of them had been in China.
This new coronavirus virus – which can cause coughing, fever, breathing difficulty and pneumonia – originated at a seafood market in Wuhan.