Deadly virus outbreak in China: 200 Confirmed Infected

The number of confirmed patients increases dramatically to 200. Three people have already died of potentially fatal lung disease. For the first time, diseases have also been confirmed in other places in China.

After the outbreak of the respiratory virus in China, the number of confirmed cases has skyrocketed to around 200. Another patient died. There are now three deaths, as reported by the health authority in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

For the first time, infections with the novel coronavirus were also found in other places in China. In the Daxing district in Beijing, two patients tested positive for the new coronavirus, and one in Shenzhen in southern China. All three had previously been to Wuhan.

The majority of infections continued to focus on the 11 million metropolia with 198 cases. Of the patients there, 35 are seriously ill, nine are in critical condition.

Only 45 cases had been officially confirmed by Chinese Authorities.

However, researchers at the British Center for the Analysis of Global Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London believe that the spread of the disease is much larger than previously known.

According to their statistical model calculations, the experts estimate the number of patients to be more than 1,700.

The experts also warn of possible transmission of the virus from person to person. China’s health commission warned in Beijing that the origin of the new type of coronavirus has not yet been found.

It is also not known how people got infected but authorities have claimed that the outbreak is controllable.

It is believed that the coronavirus comes from the animals. The initial infections were linked to a now-closed Wuhan fish market, which also sold wild animals.

Coronaviruses often cause harmless illnesses such as colds, however, pathogens of dangerous respiratory diseases such as Sars and Mers are also included.

The SARS virus, which the new pathogen is similar to, is also believed to have originated from the animals. Sars stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. In the 2002/2003 Sars pandemic, around 8000 people worldwide developed lung disease and almost 800 died.

At the time, the outbreak was initially covered up, which prevented a quick response and initially promoted its spread.

Just over a week ago, experts had decoded the gene sequence of the new virus, which makes testing in patients with pneumonia, easier. There are also cases abroad. Two infections were confirmed in Thailand and one in Japan.

The three patients had not visited the animal market, where the origin is suspected. This incident warned experts about human-to-human transmission.

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The health authorities in South Korea have reported disease with the new coronavirus from China for the first time.

A 35-year-old Chinese woman was affected and apparently, she traveled to the city of Wuhan, where the majority of infections occurred. She suffered from fever, breathing problems and other symptoms of the disease and upon testing, the coronavirus was detected.

The World Health Organization has so far not issued a travel warning for tourists. However, the US Department of Health (CDC) advised travelers to Wuhan to avoid animal markets and to avoid contact with animals or with sick people.

The US authorities are also carrying out a health checkup at the airports on passengers traveling from Wuhan.