China has locked down the city of Wuhan. 600 Indian students study there. WION's Palki tells you how India's diplomatic machinery is dealing with the Wuhan virus outbreak.

Wuhan virus: Indians trapped in China | Gravitas

Did China try to hide the Wuhan Virus outbreak? Amid a lack of transparency, claims of a cover-up are gaining traction. A new report says local officials in Wuhan tried to hide the facts.

Wuhan Virus: Did China attempt a cover up? | Gravitas

Over 800 confirmed cases. More than 20 people have died. The Wuhan virus is spreading fast. Did China respond too late? WION's Palki tells you how China is unable to contain the outbreak.

Wuhan Virus spreads: Did China respond too late?  | Gravitas

China is responding to a health emergency by building a 1,000-bed hospital in 6 days. Can India combat a major public health emergency? WION's Palki tells you if India is prepared to deal with an outbreak like the Wuhan Virus.

WION Edit: Can India tackle a public health emergency? | Gravitas

Medical workers in central China's Wuhan City have faced up to their responsibilities regardless of the risks, with many putting in gruelling shifts as they support patients fighting viral pneumonia following the outbreak of a new type of coronavirus in the city. The Jinyintan hospital is one of nine specialist medical facilities designated for treating pneumonia patients in Wuhan, where staff have been working to combat the coronavirus since the first patient entered the hospital on December 29. As of now, the hospital has taken in a total of 170 pneumonia patients, of which 28 have been discharged while 137 still undergo treatment. Five victims have lost their lives at the hands of the illness despite the best efforts of staff.

Wuhan medical workers face gruelling task of treating viral pneumonia patients

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China.&nbsp;

A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus.&nbsp;

"It's still too early to draw conclusions on how severe the virus is," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing as reported by news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

"The focus is not so much on the (case) numbers, which we know will go up," he added. &nbsp;

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China, so far, had officially reported <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-26-dead-and-millions-on-lockdown-china-to-build-new-hospital-within-10-days-276334">830 confirmed cases and 25 deaths</a> with officials scurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of the fatal virus outbreak.&nbsp;

In Wuhan, where more of the cases have been detected, shopping centres and streets are eerily quiet after authorities told residents not to leave the city.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Wuhan's local government, suspended most transport, including outgoing flights to contain the virus.&nbsp;There is no vaccine for this virus so far and fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing are some of its symptoms.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China. A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus.

According to the World Health Organisation, the number of new coronavirus cases is likely to be on the rise in China. A WHO spokesman added that it is still too soon to evaluate the severity of the virus. "It's still too early to draw conclusions on how severe the virus is," WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told a Geneva news briefing as reported by news agency Reuters. "The focus is not so much on the (case) numbers, which we know will go up," he added. × China, so far, had officially reported 830 confirmed cases and 25 deaths with officials scurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of the fatal virus outbreak. In Wuhan, where more of the cases have been detected, shopping centres and streets are eerily quiet after authorities told residents not to leave the city. On Thursday, Wuhan's local government, suspended most transport, including outgoing flights to contain the virus. There is no vaccine for this virus so far and fever, difficulty in breathing and coughing are some of its symptoms. (With inputs from Reuters)

Coronavirus cases likely to rise in China: World Health Organisation 

The Chinese city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-coronavirus-medical-staff-in-wuhan-fighting-an-uphill-battle-among-infected-patients-276285">Wuhan</a> is rapidly&nbsp;building&nbsp;a new&nbsp;1,000-bed&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;to&nbsp;treat&nbsp;victims of a new&nbsp;coronavirus, mobilising machinery to get it ready by early next week, state media said.

The virus has killed 25 people in&nbsp;China&nbsp;and infected more than 800, the government said on Friday, as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-health-organisation-officially-recognises-gaming-addiction-as-mental-disorder-221949">World Health Organisation</a> declared it an emergency but stopped short of declaring the epidemic of international concern.

Most of the cases are in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated late last year.

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The new&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;is being built around a holiday complex originally intended for local workers, set in gardens by a lake on the outskirts of the city, the official Changjiang Daily reported on Friday. Prefabricated&nbsp;buildings, which will have&nbsp;1,000&nbsp;beds, will be put up, it said.

Building&nbsp;machinery, including 35 diggers and 10 bulldozers, arrived at the site on Thursday night, with the aim to get the new facility ready by Monday, the paper added.

"The construction of this project is to solve the shortage of existing medical resources," the report said. "Because it will be prefabricated&nbsp;buildings, it will not only be built fast but it also won't cost much."

China&nbsp;State Construction Engineering, one of the companies&nbsp;building&nbsp;the&nbsp;hospital, said on Friday it was "doing all it can and would&nbsp;overcome difficulties" to play its part, adding it now had more than 100 workers on the site.

Images on state television showed a flurry of activity at the muddy&nbsp;building&nbsp;site with dozens of diggers painted in multiple colours hard at work preparing the ground, as a stream of trucks ferried in materials and equipment.

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The&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;aims to copy the experience of Beijing in 2003 when the city battled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sars-like-virus-spreading-across-china-amid-140-new-cases-third-death-275342">Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome</a> (SARS). As many as 774 people died globally in the SARS epidemic, which reached nearly 30 countries.

At the time, Beijing built the Xiaotangshan&nbsp;hospital&nbsp;in its northern suburbs in just a week. Within two months, it&nbsp;treated one-seventh of all the country's SARS patients, the Changjiang Daily said.

"It created a miracle in the history of medical science," the paper added.

The Beijing&nbsp;hospital, built by 7,000 workers, was originally designed only to take people who were in recovery from SARS to relieve pressure on other&nbsp;hospitals.

In the end it&nbsp;treated nearly 700 SARS patients.

The Chinese city of Wuhan is rapidly building a new 1,000-bed hospital to treat victims of a new coronavirus, mobilising machinery to get it ready by early next week, state media said.

The Chinese city of Wuhan is rapidly building a new 1,000-bed hospital to treat victims of a new coronavirus, mobilising machinery to get it ready by early next week, state media said. The virus has killed 25 people in China and infected more than 800, the government said on Friday, as the World Health Organisation declared it an emergency but stopped short of declaring the epidemic of international concern. Most of the cases are in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated late last year. The new hospital is being built around a holiday complex originally intended for local workers, set in gardens by a lake on the outskirts of the city, the official Changjiang Daily reported on Friday. Prefabricated buildings, which will have 1,000 beds, will be put up, it said. Building machinery, including 35 diggers and 10 bulldozers, arrived at the site on Thursday night, with the aim to get the new facility ready by Monday, the paper added. "The construction of this project is to solve the shortage of existing medical resources," the report said. "Because it will be prefabricated buildings, it will not only be built fast but it also won't cost much." China State Construction Engineering, one of the companies building the hospital, said on Friday it was "doing all it can and would overcome difficulties" to play its part, adding it now had more than 100 workers on the site. Images on state television showed a flurry of activity at the muddy building site with dozens of diggers painted in multiple colours hard at work preparing the ground, as a stream of trucks ferried in materials and equipment. The hospital aims to copy the experience of Beijing in 2003 when the city battled Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). As many as 774 people died globally in the SARS epidemic, which reached nearly 30 countries. At the time, Beijing built the Xiaotangshan hospital in its northern suburbs in just a week. Within two months, it treated one-seventh of all the country's SARS patients, the Changjiang Daily said. "It created a miracle in the history of medical science," the paper added. The Beijing hospital, built by 7,000 workers, was originally designed only to take people who were in recovery from SARS to relieve pressure on other hospitals. In the end it treated nearly 700 SARS patients.

China building 1,000-bed hospital over the weekend to treat coronavirus

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-apple-board-as-tv-battle-looms-249672">Walt&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Co</a>'s&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Resort will be closed until further notice to help China stop the&nbsp;spread&nbsp;of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-risk-assets-slip-on-chinese-virus-anxiety-275925">flu-like&nbsp;virus</a>, costing the theme park operator revenue during the country's biggest holiday season.

China is on a seven-day Lunar New Year holiday, a period when the&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;park would be usually packed with tourists. Last year&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;had to stop selling tickets to visitors as the park got overcrowded.

"In response to the&nbsp;prevention and control of the disease outbreak and in order to ensure the health and safety of our guests and Cast,&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Resort is temporarily closing&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disneyland,&nbsp;Disneytown ... starting January&nbsp;25," the company said on its website.

"We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and ... announce the reopening date upon confirmation."

Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, and neighbouring Huanggang, a city of about 7 million people, were in virtual lockdown, with restrictions in place elsewhere. A new coronavirus&nbsp;which broke out in Wuhan, central China, late last year has killed 25 people and infected more than 800.

Many businesses including retailers, airlines, travel agencies and hotel operators are on high alert, as health authorities fear the infection rate could accelerate over the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad.

The outbreak has already prompted seven Chinese films that were set to premiere during the holiday to postpone screenings, forgoing what is usually the best week of the year at the Chinese box office.

Disney&nbsp;said it would refund tickets for admission to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/disneyland-shanghai-sued-over-double-standards-242916">Shanghai&nbsp;Disneyland</a>, on China's east coast, more than 800 km from Wuhan, or other services at the park as well as hotel bookings.

The estimated financial impact on the US&nbsp;company's first theme park in mainland China, which opened in mid-2016 in its largest overseas investment at $5.5 billion, was not immediately clear.

The company was not immediately available to comment.

Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;carried out a resort-wide makeover this month for a four-week event through February&nbsp;9 to celebrate the Year of the Rat with its characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and target China's middle class and booming domestic tourism.

Walt&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Co owns a 43 per cent stake in&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disney&nbsp;Resort which has&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Disneyland theme park and two hotels with a total of 1,220 rooms.

The impact on businesses is set to increase as China discourages locals from gathering in crowded places. It has already stepped up measures to contain the&nbsp;virus, with public transport suspensions in 10 cities, the shutting of temples and closing the Forbidden City, Beijing's most famous tourist attraction.

Japan's Fast Retailing Co Ltd said on Friday it has temporarily closed 17 Uniqlo stores in Wuhan. China is a key growth market for the company which faces a saturated market and weak consumer spending in Japan.

Walt Disney Co's Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed until further notice to help China stop the spread of a flu-like virus, costing the theme park operator revenue during the country's biggest holiday season.

Walt Disney Co's Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed until further notice to help China stop the spread of a flu-like virus, costing the theme park operator revenue during the country's biggest holiday season. China is on a seven-day Lunar New Year holiday, a period when the Shanghai Disney park would be usually packed with tourists. Last year Shanghai Disney had to stop selling tickets to visitors as the park got overcrowded. "In response to the prevention and control of the disease outbreak and in order to ensure the health and safety of our guests and Cast, Shanghai Disney Resort is temporarily closing Shanghai Disneyland, Disneytown ... starting January 25," the company said on its website. "We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and ... announce the reopening date upon confirmation." Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, and neighbouring Huanggang, a city of about 7 million people, were in virtual lockdown, with restrictions in place elsewhere. A new coronavirus which broke out in Wuhan, central China, late last year has killed 25 people and infected more than 800. Many businesses including retailers, airlines, travel agencies and hotel operators are on high alert, as health authorities fear the infection rate could accelerate over the Lunar New Year, when hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad. The outbreak has already prompted seven Chinese films that were set to premiere during the holiday to postpone screenings, forgoing what is usually the best week of the year at the Chinese box office. Disney said it would refund tickets for admission to Shanghai Disneyland, on China's east coast, more than 800 km from Wuhan, or other services at the park as well as hotel bookings. The estimated financial impact on the US company's first theme park in mainland China, which opened in mid-2016 in its largest overseas investment at $5.5 billion, was not immediately clear. The company was not immediately available to comment. Shanghai Disney carried out a resort-wide makeover this month for a four-week event through February 9 to celebrate the Year of the Rat with its characters including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and target China's middle class and booming domestic tourism. Walt Disney Co owns a 43 per cent stake in Shanghai Disney Resort which has Shanghai Disneyland theme park and two hotels with a total of 1,220 rooms. The impact on businesses is set to increase as China discourages locals from gathering in crowded places. It has already stepped up measures to contain the virus, with public transport suspensions in 10 cities, the shutting of temples and closing the Forbidden City, Beijing's most famous tourist attraction. Japan's Fast Retailing Co Ltd said on Friday it has temporarily closed 17 Uniqlo stores in Wuhan. China is a key growth market for the company which faces a saturated market and weak consumer spending in Japan.

Shanghai Disney shuts to prevent spread of coronavirus

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) authorities are ready to utilise the isolation ward for the treatment the suspected cases of a novel coronavirus if detected in India. The AIIMS administration is prepared to utilize the isolation ward for suspected cases of killer nCoV which has taken the shape of a massive outbreak in Wuhan city of China.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-embassy-in-beijing-cancels-republic-day-ceremony-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-276309">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-embassy-in-beijing-cancels-republic-day-ceremony-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-276309">Indian embassy in Beijing cancels Republic Day ceremony due to coronavirus outbreak in China</a>

Speaking to ANI, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS said: "We have isolation wards in place. Now we will utilize it for suspected coronavirus cases if it gets originate in Delhi and India. At AIIMS, we are fully equipped with the treatment facilities and have trained doctors, nurses to screen the patients. As of now, no case has been reported in India.

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A person should maintain a good standard of hand hygiene, avoid travelling in crowded places and use masks while travelling to avoid falling prey to pneumonia-causing virus. Any person having any symptoms such as cough, fever and weakness should immediately consult the doctor."

&nbsp;

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The hospital preparedness with regard to management and infection prevention control facilities has also been reviewed, he added.

"We have adequate precautionary measures even for healthcare workers here. In case, if a large number of cases originated, we have to capacity to strengthen the isolation ward facilities," said Dr Guleria adding that the Central government is continuously doing thermal screening for passengers arriving in India from China via Hongkong.

These airports include Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata respectively.

"Unfortunately, as of now there is no such treatment, vaccine and medication available for the treatment of nCoV as this typical virus mutates very fast and transmits from human to human easily. Hence, we have to follow preventive medication strategies," Dr Guleria added.

"Coronavirus which is presently circulating in China is one from the family of SARS virus which was originated in China in 2002. It has been reported that the virus was originated from animals and this time also medical scientists are suspecting that the virus has been transmitted from animals too," he said.

Till January 23, over 550 cases of pneumonia with nCoV were confirmed in China and a total of 17 people have died. The cases have been reported in more than 20 provinces (including Taiwan ) and municipalities as well.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) authorities are ready to utilise the isolation ward for the treatment the suspected cases of a novel coronavirus if detected in India.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) authorities are ready to utilise the isolation ward for the treatment the suspected cases of a novel coronavirus if detected in India. The AIIMS administration is prepared to utilize the isolation ward for suspected cases of killer nCoV which has taken the shape of a massive outbreak in Wuhan city of China. Also read- Indian embassy in Beijing cancels Republic Day ceremony due to coronavirus outbreak in China Speaking to ANI, Dr Randeep Guleria, Director of AIIMS said: "We have isolation wards in place. Now we will utilize it for suspected coronavirus cases if it gets originate in Delhi and India. At AIIMS, we are fully equipped with the treatment facilities and have trained doctors, nurses to screen the patients. As of now, no case has been reported in India. A person should maintain a good standard of hand hygiene, avoid travelling in crowded places and use masks while travelling to avoid falling prey to pneumonia-causing virus. Any person having any symptoms such as cough, fever and weakness should immediately consult the doctor." The hospital preparedness with regard to management and infection prevention control facilities has also been reviewed, he added. "We have adequate precautionary measures even for healthcare workers here. In case, if a large number of cases originated, we have to capacity to strengthen the isolation ward facilities," said Dr Guleria adding that the Central government is continuously doing thermal screening for passengers arriving in India from China via Hongkong. These airports include Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata respectively. "Unfortunately, as of now there is no such treatment, vaccine and medication available for the treatment of nCoV as this typical virus mutates very fast and transmits from human to human easily. Hence, we have to follow preventive medication strategies," Dr Guleria added. "Coronavirus which is presently circulating in China is one from the family of SARS virus which was originated in China in 2002. It has been reported that the virus was originated from animals and this time also medical scientists are suspecting that the virus has been transmitted from animals too," he said. Till January 23, over 550 cases of pneumonia with nCoV were confirmed in China and a total of 17 people have died. The cases have been reported in more than 20 provinces (including Taiwan ) and municipalities as well.

AIIMS to keep coronavirus patients in 'isolation ward'

India has also come under high alert of the deadly coronavirus. According to the reports, around 25 Indian students are currently trapped in China's Wuhan province. 20 out of 25 students hail from the Southern state of Kerala. It has also been reported that 14 students will be flying to Kolkata from Yichang.

Reports: India can come under coronavirus threat

Chinese authorities on Thursday said an 80-year-old man diagnosed with the new&nbsp;coronavirus in northern Hebei province died on January 22.

This is the first death reported outside Hubei taking the death toll to 18.

In another case, a&nbsp;nurse from Kerala working at the al Hayat national hospital in Saudi Arabia has been diagnosed with the SARS-like coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-coronavirus-wuhan-city-imposes-transport-lockdown-as-death-toll-rises-to-seventeen-and-no-of-cases-rise-to-571-276004">Also Read: Wuhan city imposes transport lockdown as death toll rises to seventeen</a>

According to reports, at least thirty nurses from Kerala have been quarantined in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The 38-year-old nurse hailing from Kerala is said to have contracted the virus while treating a Filipino who had tested positive for the deadly virus.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a letter to external affairs minister Jayshankar seeking his immediate intervention.

The government should get in touch with its counterpart in Saudi Arabia and take urgent steps including ensuring expert treatment and protection to those affected from the virus.&nbsp;The matter should be viewed seriously, Kerela CM&nbsp;Vijayan said in the letter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-we-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak-in-chinese-city-of-wuhan-275295">In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan</a>

Meanwhile, Beijing authorities on Thursday said large scale Lunar New Year events have been cancelled after the SARS-like coronavirus continued to spread leading to a lockdown of Wuhan and Huanggang.

The officials said the cancellation was done to strengthen "prevention and support"&nbsp;as authorities confirmed 571 new cases of the virus.

After Wuhan, a second Chinese city has been put on lockdown as the SARS-like coronavirus continued to spread in China.

<img alt="SARS-like coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b7c27f91-ec09-4777-9f1d-c0d67e60efdd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2861%29_2.jpg" />

Chinese authorities decided to quartine Huanggang which is 40 kms from Wuhan. The city authorities said train services to the city will be stopped from midnight and all vehicles would be checked with public places closed till further notice.&nbsp;

Watch Video:

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Authorities said movie theatres and internet cafes must also be closed while asking the residents not to leave the city.&nbsp;

<img alt="​​​​​​​​" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67ebcb54-3a29-4c38-aae1-2d9bf54c42f5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2862%29_0.jpg" />

Earlier, Wuhan city authorities had closed public transport and suspended flights and told its residents not to leave.&nbsp;Residents in Wuhan were told by authorities "not to leave without a special reason" as the city authorities clamped down on local services.&nbsp;

<img alt="SARS" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a87ed3c3-7391-4669-a4ce-0a4b656a43ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2863%29_3.jpg" />

Strict travel bans have been imposed in Wuhan and Huanggang. Authorities added that rail service to a third city, Ezhou will also be closed from tonight but did not say it has been put under a lockdown.

China also expanded its shutdown of public transport system around Wuhan with authorities deciding to suspend transport in Lichuan which is about 700 kilometres from Wuhan. Chinese officials decided to stop public transport in the city from midnight.

Chinese authorities on Thursday said an 80-year-old man diagnosed with the new coronavirus in northern Hebei province died on January 22. This is the first death reported outside Hubei taking the death toll to 18.

Chinese authorities on Thursday said an 80-year-old man diagnosed with the new coronavirus in northern Hebei province died on January 22. This is the first death reported outside Hubei taking the death toll to 18. In another case, a nurse from Kerala working at the al Hayat national hospital in Saudi Arabia has been diagnosed with the SARS-like coronavirus. Also Read: Wuhan city imposes transport lockdown as death toll rises to seventeen According to reports, at least thirty nurses from Kerala have been quarantined in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The 38-year-old nurse hailing from Kerala is said to have contracted the virus while treating a Filipino who had tested positive for the deadly virus. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a letter to external affairs minister Jayshankar seeking his immediate intervention. The government should get in touch with its counterpart in Saudi Arabia and take urgent steps including ensuring expert treatment and protection to those affected from the virus. The matter should be viewed seriously, Kerela CM Vijayan said in the letter. In Pics: What we know about new coronavirus outbreak in Chinese city of Wuhan Meanwhile, Beijing authorities on Thursday said large scale Lunar New Year events have been cancelled after the SARS-like coronavirus continued to spread leading to a lockdown of Wuhan and Huanggang. The officials said the cancellation was done to strengthen "prevention and support" as authorities confirmed 571 new cases of the virus. After Wuhan, a second Chinese city has been put on lockdown as the SARS-like coronavirus continued to spread in China. Chinese authorities decided to quartine Huanggang which is 40 kms from Wuhan. The city authorities said train services to the city will be stopped from midnight and all vehicles would be checked with public places closed till further notice. Watch Video: Authorities said movie theatres and internet cafes must also be closed while asking the residents not to leave the city. Earlier, Wuhan city authorities had closed public transport and suspended flights and told its residents not to leave. Residents in Wuhan were told by authorities "not to leave without a special reason" as the city authorities clamped down on local services. Strict travel bans have been imposed in Wuhan and Huanggang. Authorities added that rail service to a third city, Ezhou will also be closed from tonight but did not say it has been put under a lockdown. China also expanded its shutdown of public transport system around Wuhan with authorities deciding to suspend transport in Lichuan which is about 700 kilometres from Wuhan. Chinese officials decided to stop public transport in the city from midnight.

Indian nurse diagnosed with SARS-like coronavirus in Saudi Arabia as death toll rises to 18 in China

The deadly Coronavirus continues to spread in China. Wuhan has now shut down public transportation to halter the outbreak. The death toll has almost doubled in a spar of a day and a total of around 17 people have been killed. Watch report:

China's deadly Coronavirus spreads: 17 killed, 543 infected

The first person known to be a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-news-mass-shooting-leaves-one-dead-several-injured-in-seattle-276032">US</a> patient of the coronavirus outbreak is being treated by a robot to prevent the transmission of the fatalistic disease which has killed 17 people and infected hundreds more in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china-virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China</a>.

The patient was admitted to a unit in a hospital in Everett, Washington on Monday which specializes in treatment of pathogens.

He was recently diagnosed with the virus in Seattle soon after he had returned from a trip to China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-virus-us-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-nine-275853">China virus: US confirms first case of coronavirus, death toll reaches nine</a>

He is in a ''satisfactory condition'' according to the doctors of the hospital.

The robot used to treat the patient was operated by Dr George Diaz, the section chief of diseases caused by infections at Providence regional medical centre Everett.

He operated the robot which was equipped with a camera, a microphone and a stethoscope.

The patient was taken to the hospital in isolation and was admitted in a closed gurney called an isopod.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china-virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">China coronavirus: WHO yet to decide if Wuhan virus is a global health emergency</a>

The entrance to the unit is guarded by security officers who wear a peculiar&nbsp;kind of helmet called CAPR along with full-body protection.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-news-wuhan-coronavirus-who-yet-to-decide-if-china-virus-is-a-global-health-emergency-276018">World Health Organization</a> has been contemplating to declare the outbreak of the virus as a public health emergency of global concern.

It had originated in the Wuhan district of China where approximately 540 people have been hospitalized.

&nbsp;

The first person known to be a US patient of the coronavirus outbreak is being treated by a robot to prevent the transmission of the fatalistic disease which has killed 17 people and infected hundreds more in China.

The first person known to be a US patient of the coronavirus outbreak is being treated by a robot to prevent the transmission of the fatalistic disease which has killed 17 people and infected hundreds more in China. The patient was admitted to a unit in a hospital in Everett, Washington on Monday which specializes in treatment of pathogens. He was recently diagnosed with the virus in Seattle soon after he had returned from a trip to China. Also read: China virus: US confirms first case of coronavirus, death toll reaches nine He is in a ''satisfactory condition'' according to the doctors of the hospital. The robot used to treat the patient was operated by Dr George Diaz, the section chief of diseases caused by infections at Providence regional medical centre Everett. He operated the robot which was equipped with a camera, a microphone and a stethoscope. The patient was taken to the hospital in isolation and was admitted in a closed gurney called an isopod. Also read: China coronavirus: WHO yet to decide if Wuhan virus is a global health emergency The entrance to the unit is guarded by security officers who wear a peculiar kind of helmet called CAPR along with full-body protection. The World Health Organization has been contemplating to declare the outbreak of the virus as a public health emergency of global concern. It had originated in the Wuhan district of China where approximately 540 people have been hospitalized.

First US patient of coronavirus being treated by robot

The emergence of a SARS-like virus in China is the last thing Hong Kong's struggling economy needs, analysts say, as the city reels from the twin storms of the global trade war and months of political unrest.

The emergence of a SARS-like virus in China is the last thing Hong Kong's struggling economy needs, analysts say, as the city reels from the twin storms of the global trade war and months of political unrest. The semi-autonomous financial hub is currently on high alert for any appearance of the new coronavirus, which first surfaced in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread to the United States and around Asia. In 2003, nearly 300 people were killed in Hong Kong during an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which also began on the mainland and hammered the city's economy as tourists arrivals plunged. "We are on extremely high alert and preparing for the worst," chief secretary Matthew Cheung told reporters on Tuesday. "We have not lowered our guard." The timing could hardly be worse. Hong Kong has been tipped into a recession by the US-China trade war and months of seething pro-democracy protests that have upended its reputation for stability. On Monday, Moody's downgraded Hong Kong's credit rating, saying the government had failed to respond to the economic and political demands of protesters and that China's increased influence was undermining the city's once-vaunted institutions. A disease outbreak in the densely packed city would only add to current economic woes. "This is definitely the last thing Hong Kong people want to see," said Jackson Wong, an asset management director at Amber Hill Capital Ltd. "The current situation will definitely remind investors about what we suffered in 2003 during the SARS outbreak in Hong Kong," he added. Also Read: China confirms person-to-person spread of the new virus as fourth death reported [ Citizens protect themselves with face masks (Courtesy: Reuters) ] 'Salt in the wounds' Hong Kong's stock market sank on Tuesday - with tourism-linked stocks leading the losses - after a top Chinese scientist said the Wuhan virus has now been found to pass between humans. The brewing crisis comes days before the Lunar New Year holiday, which sees hundreds of millions of people travel across China and overseas. The number of mainland Chinese travelling to Hong Kong has dropped dramatically since the anti-government protests began last summer, and there are fears the Wuhan virus will only make things worse for the battered tourism industry. "Hotel, catering and tourism have borne the brunt of the recession and now this situation is like rubbing salt into the wounds," Dickie Wong, executive director of research at Kingston Securities stated. "It will deal a heavy blow to the city's economic atmosphere. The impact of the political unrest sparked by the extradition bill (protests) has not yet ended." Hong Kong's health authorities are taking few chances in a bid to stave off a repeat of the SARS epidemic. Monitoring for people with fevers has been ramped up at the airport and local hospitals to include anyone coming from Hubei province, not just the capital city of Wuhan. More than 100 people who have come back from the region and reported flu-like symptoms have been isolated and treated, although none have yet tested positive for the new strain. - More prepared than SARS - But the spread of confirmed cases in multiple Chinese cities, including neighbouring Shenzhen, has put Hong Kong on edge with face masks rapidly selling out. Isolation wards and doctors are on standby. The SARS outbreak dramatically transformed Hong Kong into a place where the population is now far more conscious of contagion and hygiene standards. Door handles and lift buttons in the city's myriad skyscrapers are routinely sterilised multiple times a day, while an unguarded sneeze on the crowded subway can cause neighbouring commuters to scramble for distance. Surgical face masks are ubiquitous, not just in the winter flu season. Hong Kong's difficulties in battling SARS were compounded by the veil of secrecy that surrounded the outbreak on the authoritarian mainland. But specialists who are prepping the city for any new outbreak say they have been encouraged by the transparency Chinese authorities have shown following the Wuhan outbreak. "The timescale of recognising, characterising, releasing and reporting information is a vast improvement from the time of SARS," Gabriel Leung, Dean of the University of Hong Kong's medical school told reporters on Tuesday. "What did take months during the time of SARS is now compressed into a matter of weeks or days," he added.

Wuhan virus compounds Hong Kong's economic woes

9 people have been killed, and around 440 infected by the mysterious coronavirus first detected in Wuhan China. China's national health commission has said that 440 people in 13 Chinese provinces are confirmed to be infected by the coronavirus.

9 people killed, 440 people now infected by the Coronavirus

Tracking China's SARS-like coronavirus

As China scrambles to contain the spread of this mysterious Wuhan virus, here's a quick look at the virus. How did this SARS-like pneumonia snowball into such a major health crisis? Can it be contained? This report explores

Gravitas: Can The Wuhan Virus Be Contained?

A 45-year-old Indian woman has become the first foreigner in China to have incurred a mysterious virus, which is suspected to be Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like coronavirus. Preeti Maheshwari is a school teacher at an international school and is undergoing treatment for the new strain of pneumonia outbreak, which has been spreading in Wuhan and Shenzen cities of China.

Indian school teacher admitted to intensive care for SARS-like virus in China

The Indian government has issued the travel advisory for all citizens as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads across Japan & Thailand. 2 people have been killed & 41 got infected already in China's city Wuhan. Now, W.H.O issues alert on SARS coronavirus.

W.H.O issues alert on SARS coronavirus emerged from China

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../myanmar-china-ink-deals-to-accelerate-belt-and -road-as-xi-courts-an-isolated-suu-kyi-275025">China</a> today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak</a>

The virus,&nbsp;a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-sars-like-virus-in-china-has-affected-hundreds-report-274962">Mysterious SARS-like virus in China has affected 'hundreds': Report</a>

Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan is&nbsp;believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak,&nbsp;three are described as "severe".

The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition, 19 cured and discharged from hospital, and the rest remaining in isolation receiving treatment.

Two people have died so far from the virus, including a 69-year-old man who died on Wednesday, with the disease-causing pulmonary tuberculosis and damage to multiple organ functions.

Watch:&nbsp;Indian govt issues travel advisory as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads in other countries

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Authorities said they had begun "optimized" testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected with the virus, and would begin "detection work... towards suspected cases in the city" as a next step.

A paper published Friday by scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../london-thousands-of-people-may-protest- outside-indias-high-commission-on-republic-day-275085">London</a> warned that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700 than those officially identified.

Authorities said Sunday that some of the new cases had "no history of contact" with the seafood market believed to be the centre of the outbreak.

No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but Wuhan's health commission has previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded".&nbsp;

Three cases have also been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan.

While mainland China has not yet announced any travel restrictions, authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland.

The US said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect.

Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi.

Wuhan is a city of 11 million inhabitants that serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in China today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country.

17 new cases of the SARS-like virus were reported in China today. Out of these, three remain in critical condition, causing scares across the country before the Lunar New Year, where hundreds of millions move around the country. Also read: China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak The virus, a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Also read: Mysterious SARS-like virus in China has affected 'hundreds': Report Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak, three are described as "severe". The virus has now infected 62 people in Wuhan, city authorities said, with eight in a severe condition, 19 cured and discharged from hospital, and the rest remaining in isolation receiving treatment. Two people have died so far from the virus, including a 69-year-old man who died on Wednesday, with the disease-causing pulmonary tuberculosis and damage to multiple organ functions. Watch: Indian govt issues travel advisory as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads in other countries Authorities said they had begun "optimized" testing of pneumonia cases across the city to identify those infected with the virus, and would begin "detection work... towards suspected cases in the city" as a next step. A paper published Friday by scientists with the MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis at Imperial College in London warned that the number of cases in the city was likely to be closer to 1,700 than those officially identified. Authorities said Sunday that some of the new cases had "no history of contact" with the seafood market believed to be the centre of the outbreak. No human-to-human transmission has been confirmed so far, but Wuhan's health commission has previously said the possibility "cannot be excluded". Three cases have also been reported overseas -- two in Thailand and one in Japan. While mainland China has not yet announced any travel restrictions, authorities in Hong Kong have stepped up detection measures, including rigorous temperature checkpoints for inbound travellers from the Chinese mainland. The US said from Friday it would begin screening direct flights arriving from Wuhan at San Francisco airport and New York's JFK, as well as Los Angeles, where many flights connect. Thailand said it was already screening passengers arriving in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket and would soon introduce similar controls in the beach resort of Krabi. Wuhan is a city of 11 million inhabitants that serves as a major transport hub, including during the annual Lunar New Year holiday, when hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel across the country to visit family.

China reports 17 new cases of mysterious coronavirus, three critical

Four individuals were diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday and are in stable condition, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement published shortly after midnight. Saturday's statement marked the first confirmation of new cases by the authority in nearly a week and came a day after the commission confirmed the death of a second patient.

Watch:&nbsp;At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat

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Nearly 50 people are known to have been infected and so far involve only individuals who have travelled to or live in Wuhan, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-sars-like-virus-in-china-has-affected-hundreds-report-274962">wider outbreak is possible</a>. Many of China's 1.4 billion people will be travelling abroad during the Lunar New Year holidays next week, raising concerns about the disease spreading to other parts of the world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-confirmed-in-chinese-traveller-who-arrived-in-thailand-who-274059">Thailand has reported two cases</a> of the coronavirus from Chinese travellers from Wuhan this week, while Japan has confirmed one case involving a Japanese national who travelled to Wuhan. Memories remain fresh in Asia of a 2002/03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China and killed nearly 800 people worldwide.\

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-hospitals-worldwide-as-new-china-coronavirus-may-spread-further-274255">WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus</a>

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to SARS. Health authorities have so far said the new virus discovered in Wuhan does not appear to be as lethal as SARS but admit they still know little about it, including its origins or how easily it can be transmitted from person to person.

A seafood market in Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre, but authorities say some of the 45 patients they have identified with the virus in the city deny having any exposure to this market.

U.S. authorities have said they would start <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amidst-novel-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china-health-ministry-issues-travel-advisory-274904">screening at three airports</a> - Los Angeles International, San Francisco International and New York's John F. Kennedy International - to detect travellers arriving via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan who may have symptoms of the new virus.

In Asia, Thailand has stepped up monitoring at four airports receiving daily flights from Wuhan. Airports in Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea are also screening passengers from Wuhan, authorities said.

Indonesian authorities said they have stepped up screening at all points of entry in response to the outbreak. The Philippines is scanning all passengers at seaports and airports and those with fever will be interviewed for a history of illness and whether they have travelled to Wuhan, the country's Health Secretary Franciso Duque stated.

Japan screens all incoming travellers for high temperatures and the health ministry last week started displaying notices at airports around the country asking passengers to come forward if they have travelled to Wuhan and have become sick.

The WHO has said it advises against any travel or trade restrictions on China, however.

Australia, which saw about 1.4 million short-term arrivals from China last year, is not planning any screenings for now.

Four individuals were diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday and are in stable condition, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement published shortly after midnight.

Four individuals were diagnosed with pneumonia on Thursday and are in stable condition, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement published shortly after midnight. Saturday's statement marked the first confirmation of new cases by the authority in nearly a week and came a day after the commission confirmed the death of a second patient. Watch: At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat Nearly 50 people are known to have been infected and so far involve only individuals who have travelled to or live in Wuhan, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that a wider outbreak is possible. Many of China's 1.4 billion people will be travelling abroad during the Lunar New Year holidays next week, raising concerns about the disease spreading to other parts of the world. Thailand has reported two cases of the coronavirus from Chinese travellers from Wuhan this week, while Japan has confirmed one case involving a Japanese national who travelled to Wuhan. Memories remain fresh in Asia of a 2002/03 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China and killed nearly 800 people worldwide.\ Also Read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to SARS. Health authorities have so far said the new virus discovered in Wuhan does not appear to be as lethal as SARS but admit they still know little about it, including its origins or how easily it can be transmitted from person to person. A seafood market in Wuhan is believed to be the epicentre, but authorities say some of the 45 patients they have identified with the virus in the city deny having any exposure to this market. U.S. authorities have said they would start screening at three airports - Los Angeles International, San Francisco International and New York's John F. Kennedy International - to detect travellers arriving via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan who may have symptoms of the new virus. In Asia, Thailand has stepped up monitoring at four airports receiving daily flights from Wuhan. Airports in Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea are also screening passengers from Wuhan, authorities said. Indonesian authorities said they have stepped up screening at all points of entry in response to the outbreak. The Philippines is scanning all passengers at seaports and airports and those with fever will be interviewed for a history of illness and whether they have travelled to Wuhan, the country's Health Secretary Franciso Duque stated. Japan screens all incoming travellers for high temperatures and the health ministry last week started displaying notices at airports around the country asking passengers to come forward if they have travelled to Wuhan and have become sick. The WHO has said it advises against any travel or trade restrictions on China, however. Australia, which saw about 1.4 million short-term arrivals from China last year, is not planning any screenings for now.

China reports new cases in Wuhan virus outbreak

The Indian government has issued the travel advisory for all citizens as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads across Japan & Thailand. 2 people have been killed & 41 got infected already in China's city Wuhan.

Indian govt issues travel advisory as China's mysterious 'Coronavirus' spreads in other countries

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US&nbsp;airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">Wuhan</a> who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/instances-of-binge-drinking-increasing-among-us-adults-study-275080">CDC</a>) said the screening at the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles airports would begin on Friday and focus on travellers to the United States via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan.

So far, the new virus has spread outside of China to Japan and Thailand, and CDC officials said in a conference call with reporters that they expect more cases will be reported outside of China. The risk to Americans is deemed to be low, the CDC said.

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Health screenings of travelers arriving from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a>, China is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to slow and reduce possible spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2019nCOV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2019nCOV</a> into the United States. <a href="https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf">https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf</a>
— CDC (@CDCgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1218252302647287808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, said the CDC will be sending about 100 additional staff to the three airports, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, and New York's John F. Kennedy International to supplement existing staff at quarantine stations located at those airports.

Under the screening procedures, travellers from Wuhan will be taken to a separate area in the airport, where they will complete a questionnaire and be checked for fever. Those with symptoms will be asked additional health and exposure-related questions and those needing more follow-up will be referred to a designated healthcare facility for more testing.

The CDC said it may adjust screening procedures as the outbreak investigation continues.

The Chinese virus is a coronavirus, a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-sars-like-virus-in-china-has-affected-hundreds-report-274962">SARS</a>, a highly infectious virus that originated in China in 2002 and eventually traveled to 37 countries, killing 774 people.

So far, health officials do not consider the new virus from China to be as lethal as SARS, but the investigation is evolving and much is still not known about whether the virus can spread easily from person to person.

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According to the latest predictions from <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCFlu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CDCflu</a> forecasting experts, flu activity is likely to remain elevated through late January. A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fluvaccine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fluvaccine</a> can be beneficial any time flu viruses are circulating, including after January: <a href="https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg">https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg</a>
— Dr. Nancy Messonnier (@DrNancyM_CDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrNancyM_CDC/status/1215036631020900353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"This is the stage of the investigation where we need to proceed cautiously and be prepared for any eventuality," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a CDC expert in respiratory diseases, said on the conference call.

"It's highly plausible" that there will be a case in the United States, Messonnier said. "That is why we are moving forward with this screening."

China health officials report that most of the patients infected with the virus have had exposure to a large market where live animals were present, suggesting the virus is new and has jumped from animals to humans.

It is still not clear how well the virus can be transmitted, but there are indications of some limited spread from person-to-person, CDC officials said.

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Q: What is a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a>? 
 
A: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) <a href="https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK">https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK</a> <a href="https://t.co/mhEa7LFVhx">pic.twitter.com/mhEa7LFVhx</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1218229883484155913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">World Health Organization</a> this week provided guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection prevention and control in case the new virus spreads. There is no specific treatment for the new virus, but antivirals are being considered.

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday.

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the screening at the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles airports would begin on Friday and focus on travellers to the United States via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan. So far, the new virus has spread outside of China to Japan and Thailand, and CDC officials said in a conference call with reporters that they expect more cases will be reported outside of China. The risk to Americans is deemed to be low, the CDC said. Health screenings of travelers arriving from #Wuhan, China is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to slow and reduce possible spread of #2019nCOV into the United States. https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf — CDC (@CDCgov) January 17, 2020 × Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, said the CDC will be sending about 100 additional staff to the three airports, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, and New York's John F. Kennedy International to supplement existing staff at quarantine stations located at those airports. Under the screening procedures, travellers from Wuhan will be taken to a separate area in the airport, where they will complete a questionnaire and be checked for fever. Those with symptoms will be asked additional health and exposure-related questions and those needing more follow-up will be referred to a designated healthcare facility for more testing. The CDC said it may adjust screening procedures as the outbreak investigation continues. The Chinese virus is a coronavirus, a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a highly infectious virus that originated in China in 2002 and eventually traveled to 37 countries, killing 774 people. So far, health officials do not consider the new virus from China to be as lethal as SARS, but the investigation is evolving and much is still not known about whether the virus can spread easily from person to person. According to the latest predictions from @CDCflu forecasting experts, flu activity is likely to remain elevated through late January. A #fluvaccine can be beneficial any time flu viruses are circulating, including after January: https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg — Dr. Nancy Messonnier (@DrNancyM_CDC) January 8, 2020 × "This is the stage of the investigation where we need to proceed cautiously and be prepared for any eventuality," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a CDC expert in respiratory diseases, said on the conference call. "It's highly plausible" that there will be a case in the United States, Messonnier said. "That is why we are moving forward with this screening." China health officials report that most of the patients infected with the virus have had exposure to a large market where live animals were present, suggesting the virus is new and has jumped from animals to humans. It is still not clear how well the virus can be transmitted, but there are indications of some limited spread from person-to-person, CDC officials said. Q: What is a #coronavirus? A: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK pic.twitter.com/mhEa7LFVhx — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 17, 2020 × The World Health Organization this week provided guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection prevention and control in case the new virus spreads. There is no specific treatment for the new virus, but antivirals are being considered.

US to screen passengers for new China coronavirus at three airports

The US&nbsp;State Department warned Americans in China about an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan believed to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed one person.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-warns-hospitals-worldwide-as-new-china-coronavirus-may-spread-further-274255">Also Read:&nbsp;WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus</a>

The outbreak comes ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when many of China's 1.4 billion people will be travelling to their home towns or abroad. The World Health Organization and Chinese authorities are taking steps to ensure the disease does not spread further.

Thai health authorities said on Wednesday they were stepping up monitoring of passengers arriving at airports with infrared thermal scanners ahead of the holiday, when 800,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit the country.

Memories remain fresh in Asia of a 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China and killed nearly 800 people worldwide.

WHO has said there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus in China within families.&nbsp;

And authorities in Wuhan confirmed on Wednesday that a married couple were among 41 people diagnosed with pneumonia believed to be caused by the new virus. There were no new cases or deaths at the end of Tuesday, the city's health authority said.

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission did not say in the statement whether the couple represented an instance of human-to-human transmission. But it said the husband, who worked at a seafood market suspected of being at the epicentre of the outbreak, was the first to fall ill and that his wife did not have any exposure to the market.

Some of the other people diagnosed also denied visiting the market, the commission said.

The authorities in Wuhan also confirmed that a Chinese woman quarantined in Thailand, the first case of the mystery strain of coronavirus to be detected outside of China, had come from Wuhan.

The State Department's notice referred to an alert by the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging citizens in China travelling to Wuhan to avoid contact with animals, animal markets or animal products, among other precautions.

It also asked citizens those who had visited Wuhan and feel sick to seek medical care.

The Wuhan health commission said in another statement issued late Wednesday that 7 of the 41 pneumonia patients have been released. The statement also said that 450 of the 763 people put under observation due to their close contact with known patients have been released.

The US State Department warned Americans in China about an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan believed to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed one person.

The US State Department warned Americans in China about an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan believed to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed one person. Also Read: WHO warns hospitals worldwide over further spread of China's coronavirus The outbreak comes ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, when many of China's 1.4 billion people will be travelling to their home towns or abroad. The World Health Organization and Chinese authorities are taking steps to ensure the disease does not spread further. Thai health authorities said on Wednesday they were stepping up monitoring of passengers arriving at airports with infrared thermal scanners ahead of the holiday, when 800,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit the country. Memories remain fresh in Asia of a 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which emerged in China and killed nearly 800 people worldwide. WHO has said there may have been limited human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus in China within families. And authorities in Wuhan confirmed on Wednesday that a married couple were among 41 people diagnosed with pneumonia believed to be caused by the new virus. There were no new cases or deaths at the end of Tuesday, the city's health authority said. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission did not say in the statement whether the couple represented an instance of human-to-human transmission. But it said the husband, who worked at a seafood market suspected of being at the epicentre of the outbreak, was the first to fall ill and that his wife did not have any exposure to the market. Some of the other people diagnosed also denied visiting the market, the commission said. The authorities in Wuhan also confirmed that a Chinese woman quarantined in Thailand, the first case of the mystery strain of coronavirus to be detected outside of China, had come from Wuhan. The State Department's notice referred to an alert by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urging citizens in China travelling to Wuhan to avoid contact with animals, animal markets or animal products, among other precautions. It also asked citizens those who had visited Wuhan and feel sick to seek medical care. The Wuhan health commission said in another statement issued late Wednesday that 7 of the 41 pneumonia patients have been released. The statement also said that 450 of the 763 people put under observation due to their close contact with known patients have been released.

US State Department warns citizens over outbreak of pneumonia in China's Wuhan

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand.

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WHO is working with officials in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thailand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Thailand</a>🇹🇭 and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a>🇨🇳 following reports of confirmation of the novel <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> (2019-nCoV) in a traveler from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a>, China, who traveled to Thailand <a href="https://t.co/pj20trsUCE">pic.twitter.com/pj20trsUCE</a>
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"The person was a traveller from Wuhan, China, and was identified by Thai officials on January 8, and hospitalised that day," the WHO said in a statement, adding, "The person is recovering from the illness according to Thai officials."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mystery-viral-pneumonia-china-reports-first-death-from-new-type-of-coronavirus-273549">Also Read:&nbsp;China reports first death from new type of coronavirus</a>

"The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected," it added.&nbsp;

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Given the developments on the novel <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> (2019-nC0V), WHO Director-General <a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> is consulting with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice <a href="https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0">https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0</a> <a href="https://t.co/15yZJNTyKo">pic.twitter.com/15yZJNTyKo</a>
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WHO had earlier informed that a new strain of virus from the SARS family may have struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

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According to WHO, Coronaviruses (CoV) belongs to a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, it informed. In order to prevent it, the agency advised&nbsp;regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and to ensure meat and eggs are properly cooked. It also advised people to stay away from anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory illness.

"The genetic sequencing shared by China enables more countries to rapidly diagnose patients," the international health body said.&nbsp;

WHO said it "reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak". &nbsp;WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he will consult with emergency committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice.

The infection which was first detected on December 31 last year spread rapidly in Wuhan leading to widespread SARS outbreak fears in which several hundred people had died in China in 2002-03.

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand.

The World Health Organization said it is working with officials in Thailand and China after reports of confirmation of the coronavirus in a traveller from Wuhan in China, who travelled to Thailand. WHO is working with officials in #Thailand🇹🇭 and #China🇨🇳 following reports of confirmation of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in a traveler from #Wuhan, China, who traveled to Thailand pic.twitter.com/pj20trsUCE — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 13, 2020 × "The person was a traveller from Wuhan, China, and was identified by Thai officials on January 8, and hospitalised that day," the WHO said in a statement, adding, "The person is recovering from the illness according to Thai officials." Also Read: China reports first death from new type of coronavirus "The possibility of cases being identified in other countries was not unexpected," it added. Given the developments on the novel #coronavirus (2019-nC0V), WHO Director-General @DrTedros is consulting with Emergency Committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice https://t.co/oTSIsz1iu0 pic.twitter.com/15yZJNTyKo — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 13, 2020 × WHO had earlier informed that a new strain of virus from the SARS family may have struck China's Wuhan which has led to at least 59 people being infected. The international health organization said although the virus does not spread readily, however, it can cause severe illness. Watch Video: According to WHO, Coronaviruses (CoV) belongs to a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, it informed. In order to prevent it, the agency advised regular hand washing, covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and to ensure meat and eggs are properly cooked. It also advised people to stay away from anyone who shows symptoms of respiratory illness. "The genetic sequencing shared by China enables more countries to rapidly diagnose patients," the international health body said. WHO said it "reiterates that it is essential that investigations continue in China to identify the source of this outbreak". WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he will consult with emergency committee members and could call for a meeting of the committee on short notice. The infection which was first detected on December 31 last year spread rapidly in Wuhan leading to widespread SARS outbreak fears in which several hundred people had died in China in 2002-03.

Coronavirus confirmed in Chinese traveller who arrived in Thailand: WHO

One person died in the central Chinese city of Wuhan after an outbreak of the mysterious virus, while seven others are in critical condition. #ChinaVirus #China #Wuhan

A man dies after getting infected by a newly claimed virus in China

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-from-sars-family-may-be-cause-of-mysterious-pneumonia-cases-in-china-who-273068">SARS pathogen</a> that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago.

Forty-one people with pneumonia-like symptoms have so far been diagnosed with the new type of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where it was first confirmed, with one of the victims dying, the city's health commission said on its website.

Watch:&nbsp;At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat

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Seven others remained in serious condition while two were discharged from treatment, it added, saying the latest tally was completed on Friday.

The commission did not specify when the death occurred or give further details on the patient other than to say the bulk of those diagnosed worked at a Wuhan seafood market that was closed January 1 following the outbreak.

The episode has caused alarm due to the link to SARS, or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-viral-pneumonia-infects-several-in-china-272495">Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome</a>, which killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2002-2003.

State-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak had made a "preliminary" determination that it was a previously unknown type of coronavirus.

The WHO says coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-coronavirus-from-sars-family-may-be-cause-of-mysterious-pneumonia-cases-in-china-who-273068">SARS</a> and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which emerged in 2012 and also caused scores of deaths.

"No new cases have been detected since January 3, 2020," the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">Wuhan health commission</a> said.

"At present, no infections among medical staff have been found, and no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found."

Wuhan authorities had earlier said 59 people had fallen ill, but Saturday's statement suggests that not all have been confirmed as cases of the new virus.

The outbreak was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan, which has a population of more than 11 million.

Authorities in Hong Kong have since taken precautions including stepping up the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-probes-mystery-pneumonia-outbreak-amid-sars-fears-271264">disinfection</a> of trains and planes, and checks of passengers.

The WHO, however, said Thursday it was not recommending any specific measures for travellers, nor the application of any trade or travel restrictions on China based on current information, expressing confidence in the ability of Chinese authorities to manage the situation.

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WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/China?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#China</a> based on the information currently available <a href="https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn">https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a> <a href="https://t.co/nTfz6IkeKy">pic.twitter.com/nTfz6IkeKy</a>
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China has since ruled out a fresh recurrence of SARS.

China has entered its annual Lunar New Year holiday travel rush, raising the spectre of the mass movement of people serving as a vector for the pathogen's spread.

In the world's largest annual human migration, hundreds of millions of people are expected to pack together on trains, buses and planes for the Lunar New Year holiday that this year falls in late January.

Authorities have said 400 million train tickets have been purchased for holiday-related travel, with hundreds of millions more expected to travel by air and road.

China has not announced any travel restrictions.

Authorities in Hong Kong have said 48 people have been hospitalised in recent days after returning from Wuhan and displaying flu-like illnesses, but none were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus.

City residents worried about the outbreak have rushed to buy face masks from local pharmacies, with many selling out earlier this week.

The coming holiday has prompted concerns in Taiwan, where officials urged the island's health and welfare ministry to strengthen quarantine controls at airports.

The US embassy in China warned on Tuesday that Americans travelling in the country should avoid animals and contact with sick people.

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the SARS pathogen that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago.

China on Saturday reported the first death from a virus believed to be from the same family as the SARS pathogen that killed hundreds in China and Hong Kong more than a decade ago. Forty-one people with pneumonia-like symptoms have so far been diagnosed with the new type of coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan where it was first confirmed, with one of the victims dying, the city's health commission said on its website. Watch: At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat × Seven others remained in serious condition while two were discharged from treatment, it added, saying the latest tally was completed on Friday. The commission did not specify when the death occurred or give further details on the patient other than to say the bulk of those diagnosed worked at a Wuhan seafood market that was closed January 1 following the outbreak. The episode has caused alarm due to the link to SARS, or Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2002-2003. State-run Xinhua news agency reported on Friday that Chinese scientists investigating the outbreak had made a "preliminary" determination that it was a previously unknown type of coronavirus. The WHO says coronaviruses are a large family of pathogens ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which emerged in 2012 and also caused scores of deaths. "No new cases have been detected since January 3, 2020," the Wuhan health commission said. "At present, no infections among medical staff have been found, and no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found." Wuhan authorities had earlier said 59 people had fallen ill, but Saturday's statement suggests that not all have been confirmed as cases of the new virus. The outbreak was first confirmed on December 31 in Wuhan, which has a population of more than 11 million. Authorities in Hong Kong have since taken precautions including stepping up the disinfection of trains and planes, and checks of passengers. The WHO, however, said Thursday it was not recommending any specific measures for travellers, nor the application of any trade or travel restrictions on China based on current information, expressing confidence in the ability of Chinese authorities to manage the situation. WHO advises against the application of any travel or trade restrictions on #China based on the information currently available https://t.co/UU8IgFvjpn #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/nTfz6IkeKy — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 11, 2020 × China has since ruled out a fresh recurrence of SARS. China has entered its annual Lunar New Year holiday travel rush, raising the spectre of the mass movement of people serving as a vector for the pathogen's spread. In the world's largest annual human migration, hundreds of millions of people are expected to pack together on trains, buses and planes for the Lunar New Year holiday that this year falls in late January. Authorities have said 400 million train tickets have been purchased for holiday-related travel, with hundreds of millions more expected to travel by air and road. China has not announced any travel restrictions. Authorities in Hong Kong have said 48 people have been hospitalised in recent days after returning from Wuhan and displaying flu-like illnesses, but none were confirmed to have contracted the new coronavirus. City residents worried about the outbreak have rushed to buy face masks from local pharmacies, with many selling out earlier this week. The coming holiday has prompted concerns in Taiwan, where officials urged the island's health and welfare ministry to strengthen quarantine controls at airports. The US embassy in China warned on Tuesday that Americans travelling in the country should avoid animals and contact with sick people.

Mystery viral pneumonia: China reports first death from new type of coronavirus

There is a health alert in Asia after mysterious Pneumonia cases have been reported in Wuhan city in China. At least 59 people have been infected. The cause of the illness is unknown. China has ruled out SARS threat, but fears of a possible epidemic have caused concerns. Details in this report. #China #SARS #VirusInChina #Gravitas

Gravitas: At least 59 people infected with mysterious virus in China, Beijing rules out SARS threat

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

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Remember, this was one of the outcomes agreed upon during the Wuhan informal summit which took place in China earlier this year.&nbsp;

According to the Ministry of External Affairs release, "the High-Level Mechanism reflects the desire on both the sides to build greater synergies in the people-to-people ties between the two countries through enhanced exchanges in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports and academic and youth exchanges."

The release added that the High-Level Mechanism "will bring all the existing bilateral cultural and people-to-people engagements between India and China under one umbrella and, thus, add more substance and purpose to the efforts on both sides to promote greater cultural and people-to-people exchanges between them."

Several events will also be held on the sidelines of the meeting of the High-Level Mechanism, including an India-China think tanks forum and a High-Level media forum.

This year saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting for a record four times. They first met at the Informal Wuhan Summit in China, followed by a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China and BRICS summit in South Africa. The two leaders finally met in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The development comes in the backdrop of the worst stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces at the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan.

During the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-xi-summit-in-wuhan-removed-several-misconceptions-between-india-and-china-indian-envoy-177673">informal meet in China's Wuhan</a>, India and China also agreed on taking up joint projects in Afghanistan. The first one was the joint training of Afghan Diplomats in Delhi and Bejing which took place in the month of April.&nbsp;

India and China, earlier this month, resumed the joint military exercise "Hand In Hand" in which Indian and Chinese forces were seen sharing lighter moments and doing the Bhangra together.&nbsp;

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The first meeting of the newly constituted India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges will take place on December 21. The meeting will be co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Remember, this was one of the outcomes agreed upon during the Wuhan informal summit which took place in China earlier this year. According to the Ministry of External Affairs release, "the High-Level Mechanism reflects the desire on both the sides to build greater synergies in the people-to-people ties between the two countries through enhanced exchanges in areas such as tourism, art, films, media, culture, sports and academic and youth exchanges." The release added that the High-Level Mechanism "will bring all the existing bilateral cultural and people-to-people engagements between India and China under one umbrella and, thus, add more substance and purpose to the efforts on both sides to promote greater cultural and people-to-people exchanges between them." Several events will also be held on the sidelines of the meeting of the High-Level Mechanism, including an India-China think tanks forum and a High-Level media forum. This year saw Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting for a record four times. They first met at the Informal Wuhan Summit in China, followed by a meeting during the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in China and BRICS summit in South Africa. The two leaders finally met in Argentina on the sidelines of the G20 summit. The development comes in the backdrop of the worst stand-off between Indian and Chinese forces at the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan. During the informal meet in China's Wuhan, India and China also agreed on taking up joint projects in Afghanistan. The first one was the joint training of Afghan Diplomats in Delhi and Bejing which took place in the month of April. India and China, earlier this month, resumed the joint military exercise "Hand In Hand" in which Indian and Chinese forces were seen sharing lighter moments and doing the Bhangra together.

Indian, Chinese foreign ministers to meet in Delhi on December 21

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