The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected.

“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to SARS. Some cause less-severe disease, some more severe. Some transmit easily from person to person, while others don’t,” WHO said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">Also Read: China probes mystery pneumonia outbreak amid SARS fears</a>

"The initial information about the cases of pneumonia in Wuhan...pointed to a coronavirus as a possible pathogen causing this cluster," the WHO added.

The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however,&nbsp;it can cause severe illness.

The infection which was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan had led to widespread SARS scare which had infected people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003 leading to the death of hundreds of people.

China's state media CCTV said Chinese experts believe the mysterious pneumonia was in fact a new strain of virus from the family of pathogens that includes SARS.

"As of January 7, 2020, the laboratory detected a new type of coronavirus," CCTV&nbsp;said, adding, "The new coronavirus that caused this epidemic situation is different from previously discovered human coronaviruses, and further understanding of the virus requires more scientific research."

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission had earlier said 59 cases of the unknown viral pneumonia were reported but denied it was the deadly SARS virus. No deaths were reported.&nbsp;

As a precaution, Wuhan health officials conducted cleanup operations at a seafood market in the city suspecting it to be connected to the virus.&nbsp;

The health scare spread beyond China's border&nbsp;as Singapore's health ministry said it would be screeing passengers arriving on flights from Wuhan.

As reports of the mystery virus grew, the US embassy in China warned its citizens to avoid animals and contact with sick people.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected.

The World Health Organization said on Wednesday that it believes a new strain of virus from the SARS family has struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that range from the common cold to SARS. Some cause less-severe disease, some more severe. Some transmit easily from person to person, while others don’t,” WHO said in a statement. Also Read: China probes mystery pneumonia outbreak amid SARS fears "The initial information about the cases of pneumonia in Wuhan...pointed to a coronavirus as a possible pathogen causing this cluster," the WHO added. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness. The infection which was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan had led to widespread SARS scare which had infected people in China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003 leading to the death of hundreds of people. China's state media CCTV said Chinese experts believe the mysterious pneumonia was in fact a new strain of virus from the family of pathogens that includes SARS. "As of January 7, 2020, the laboratory detected a new type of coronavirus," CCTV said, adding, "The new coronavirus that caused this epidemic situation is different from previously discovered human coronaviruses, and further understanding of the virus requires more scientific research." The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission had earlier said 59 cases of the unknown viral pneumonia were reported but denied it was the deadly SARS virus. No deaths were reported. As a precaution, Wuhan health officials conducted cleanup operations at a seafood market in the city suspecting it to be connected to the virus. The health scare spread beyond China's border as Singapore's health ministry said it would be screeing passengers arriving on flights from Wuhan. As reports of the mystery virus grew, the US embassy in China warned its citizens to avoid animals and contact with sick people.

New coronavirus from SARS family may be cause of mysterious pneumonia cases in China: WHO

China has confirmed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">mysterious viral pneumonia</a> that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organization-says-e-cigarettes-undoubtedly-harmful-238779">World Health Organization</a> (WHO)&nbsp;had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004.

China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus.&nbsp;

China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis.&nbsp;

"We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said.

Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. &nbsp;

The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak.

The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. &nbsp;

"The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently".

The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals.

(Inputs from Agencies)

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

China has confirmed that the mysterious viral pneumonia that has infected 59 people in the central part of the country, is not SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had killed 349 in mainland China and 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus had also infected more than 8,000 people. The World Health Organization (WHO) had announced that China was free from SARS in May 2004. China's Wuhan city saw a mysterious viral infecting people which was widely reported referring to the contagious SARS virus. China also ruled out the hypothesis of bird-flu and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and told reporters that investigation is still going on amid the health crisis. "We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, the avian flu, an adenovirus, SARS or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)," the Wuhan health commission said. Wuhan Health Commission added that the seven patients were seriously ill and were being quarantined. The health commission’s official website stated that 163 people who had contact with those who were infected were being examined under medical observation and the commission was making constant efforts to identify the virus and its source. Meanwhile, Wuhan police arrested eight civilians for “publishing and forwarding false information on the internet without authentication” on the viral outbreak. The city office has closed the seafood market for disinfection where the infection was first seen and cases were reported. "The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common in the winter season," WHO said, adding that the concentration of cases should be handled "prudently". The international health body also stated that the reported link to a wholesale fish market and the live animal market could be an indication that the virus might have originated from animals. (Inputs from Agencies)

Mysterious viral pneumonia infects several in China

Authorities are investigating an&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;of viral&nbsp;pneumonia&nbsp;in central&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-army-in-hong-kong-carries-out-air-sea-exercises-report-271138">China</a>&nbsp;amid&nbsp;online speculation that it might be linked to&nbsp;SARS, the flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people a decade ago.

There were 27 cases of "viral&nbsp;pneumonia&nbsp;of unknown origin" reported in Wuhan, in central Hubei province, the city's health commission said in a statement.

Seven patients were in a critical condition, while the others were stable and two could be discharged soon, the commission said.

Initial lab tests have found that there was no "apparent human-to-human transmission" and that no medical staff were infected, the statement said.&nbsp;

"Investigation of the cause of infection is ongoing," it added.

All patients have been quarantined and their close contacts are under medical observation, according to the commission.&nbsp;

Most of the patients worked at a seafood market in the city, it said.

News of the&nbsp;mystery&nbsp;pneumonia&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;led to speculation online that it might be linked to&nbsp;Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

"A number of health officials in Wuhan said that the cause of the current&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;is not clear, and it cannot be concluded that it is the&nbsp;SARS&nbsp;virus as rumoured online," the official newspaper People's Daily said on its Weibo microblog.

"Other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pneumonia-kills-a-child-every-39-seconds-health-agencies-say-261523">severe&nbsp;pneumonia</a>&nbsp;is more likely," it said.

A team of experts from the National Health Commission were dispatched Tuesday to Wuhan and are "currently conducting relevant inspection and verification work," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

An emergency notification issued Monday by the Wuhan municipal health committee urged hospitals to offer treatment and report cases in a "timely manner".

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organisation-officially-recognises-gaming-addiction-as-mental-disorder-221949">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) criticised&nbsp;China&nbsp;for under reporting the number of&nbsp;SARS&nbsp;cases following the&nbsp;outbreak&nbsp;in 2003.

SARS&nbsp;killed 349 people in mainland&nbsp;China&nbsp;and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2003.

The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is expected to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, according to WHO.

China&nbsp;sacked its then health minister Zhang Wenkang for the poor handling of the crisis in 2003, several months after the first case was reported.

WHO announced that&nbsp;China&nbsp;was free of&nbsp;SARS&nbsp;in May 2004.

Authorities are investigating an outbreak of viral pneumonia in central China amid online speculation that it might be linked to SARS, the flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people a decade ago.

Authorities are investigating an outbreak of viral pneumonia in central China amid online speculation that it might be linked to SARS, the flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people a decade ago. There were 27 cases of "viral pneumonia of unknown origin" reported in Wuhan, in central Hubei province, the city's health commission said in a statement. Seven patients were in a critical condition, while the others were stable and two could be discharged soon, the commission said. Initial lab tests have found that there was no "apparent human-to-human transmission" and that no medical staff were infected, the statement said. "Investigation of the cause of infection is ongoing," it added. All patients have been quarantined and their close contacts are under medical observation, according to the commission. Most of the patients worked at a seafood market in the city, it said. News of the mystery pneumonia outbreak led to speculation online that it might be linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a highly contagious respiratory disease. "A number of health officials in Wuhan said that the cause of the current outbreak is not clear, and it cannot be concluded that it is the SARS virus as rumoured online," the official newspaper People's Daily said on its Weibo microblog. "Other severe pneumonia is more likely," it said. A team of experts from the National Health Commission were dispatched Tuesday to Wuhan and are "currently conducting relevant inspection and verification work," state broadcaster CCTV reported. An emergency notification issued Monday by the Wuhan municipal health committee urged hospitals to offer treatment and report cases in a "timely manner". The World Health Organization (WHO) criticised China for under reporting the number of SARS cases following the outbreak in 2003. SARS killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is expected to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, according to WHO. China sacked its then health minister Zhang Wenkang for the poor handling of the crisis in 2003, several months after the first case was reported. WHO announced that China was free of SARS in May 2004.

China probes mystery pneumonia outbreak amid SARS fears

According to Hong Kong University, a man has developed the world's first case of the rat version of hepatitis E virus.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rat-fever-grips-flood-hit-kerala-leptospirosis-claims-28-lives-alert-sounded-163062">Also Read: Rat fever grips flood-hit Kerala;&nbsp;Leptospirosis claims 28 lives</a>

The man who is reportedly 56-years-old had undergone a liver transplant due to persistent abnormal liver function tests. The University of Hong Kong said there was no previous evidence the disease could transfer from rats to humans.

"This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection," the university said in a statement.

He could have contracted the illness through food infected by rat droppings, researchers said.

The patient was treated with an oral medication known as ribavirin and is recovering, reports said. Symptoms of hepatitis E virus include&nbsp;fever, vomiting and jaundice, and in rare cases liver failure and death.

According to the World Health Organization(WHO), hepatitis E, a liver disease, which is normally spread through contaminated drinking water affects 20 million people globally each year.

WHO estimated that nearly 44, 000 people died of Hepatitis E in 2015, accounting for 3.3% of mortality due to viral hepatitis.

The World health body in its report said although the disease is found worldwide but it is highest in South and East Asia. A vaccine for the disease has been developed in China but it is not avaliable anywhere else, according to WHO.

It commonly occurs in countries with limited access to water sanitation and health services, according to a WHO report.

Rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants, Hong Kong Unitersity said. The Hong Kong University will be releasing more information about the case on Friday.

In France, researches had said they had found traces of hepatitis E in pork.

In Kerala, during the recent floods, suspected cases of leptospirosis, a waterborne disease known locally as 'rat fever' had hit 800 patients. Transmitted via the urine of infected animals, its symptoms include muscle pain and fever. At least 12 people had died due to the disease.

Hong Kong has been facing persistent rodent problem in the past year because of hot and humid condictions. The country was hit by the deadly Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus in 2003 which started from China caused severe respiratory problems in humans.

According to Hong Kong University, a man has developed the world's first case of the rat version of hepatitis E virus. Also Read: Rat fever grips flood-hit Kerala; Leptospirosis claims 28 lives The man who is reportedly 56-years-old had undergone a liver transplant due to persistent abnormal liver function tests.

According to Hong Kong University, a man has developed the world's first case of the rat version of hepatitis E virus. Also Read: Rat fever grips flood-hit Kerala; Leptospirosis claims 28 lives The man who is reportedly 56-years-old had undergone a liver transplant due to persistent abnormal liver function tests. The University of Hong Kong said there was no previous evidence the disease could transfer from rats to humans. "This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection," the university said in a statement. He could have contracted the illness through food infected by rat droppings, researchers said. The patient was treated with an oral medication known as ribavirin and is recovering, reports said. Symptoms of hepatitis E virus include fever, vomiting and jaundice, and in rare cases liver failure and death. According to the World Health Organization(WHO), hepatitis E, a liver disease, which is normally spread through contaminated drinking water affects 20 million people globally each year. WHO estimated that nearly 44, 000 people died of Hepatitis E in 2015, accounting for 3.3% of mortality due to viral hepatitis. The World health body in its report said although the disease is found worldwide but it is highest in South and East Asia. A vaccine for the disease has been developed in China but it is not avaliable anywhere else, according to WHO. It commonly occurs in countries with limited access to water sanitation and health services, according to a WHO report. Rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants, Hong Kong Unitersity said. The Hong Kong University will be releasing more information about the case on Friday. In France, researches had said they had found traces of hepatitis E in pork. In Kerala, during the recent floods, suspected cases of leptospirosis, a waterborne disease known locally as 'rat fever' had hit 800 patients. Transmitted via the urine of infected animals, its symptoms include muscle pain and fever. At least 12 people had died due to the disease. Hong Kong has been facing persistent rodent problem in the past year because of hot and humid condictions. The country was hit by the deadly Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus in 2003 which started from China caused severe respiratory problems in humans.

World's first human case of rat disease detected in Hong Kong

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