WHO fears China’s mysterious outbreak could be new virus
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Chinese state media said on Thursday that an outbreak of more than 50 pneumonia cases in the central city of Wuhan could be caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
The announcement came hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) had made similar statements. The United Nations’ public health body said Chinese authorities have ruled out SARS, MERS, bird flu and influenza, among others.
“A new coronavirus cannot be excluded,” the WHO said in a statement.
Coronaviruses can be spread via coughing, sneezing or touching someone who is infected. They are a large family of viruses with many types that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to MERS and SARS.
As of Sunday, local authorities said at least 59 people have been treated for respiratory illness, including seven who are in critical condition. The outbreak is believed to have occurred between December 12th and the 29th.
The WHO said reported link to a wholesale fish and live animal market could indicate an exposure link to animals. The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season; however, the occurrence of 44 cases of pneumonia requiring hospitalization clustered in space and time should be handled prudently.
The WHO did not recommend any specific measures for travellers. In case of symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness either during or after travel, it advised travellers to seek medical attention and share travel history with their healthcare provider.
Wuhan city, with a population of 19 million, is the capital city of Hubei province, with a population of 58 million people. WHO has requested further information on the laboratory tests performed and the differential diagnoses considered.
