Less than a month after the first few cases of a new respiratory illness were reported in Wuhan, China, travelers have carried the virus to at least four other countries, including the United States. More than 400 people have been infected, at least 17 have died -- and the world is bracing itself for
Less than a month after the first few cases of a new respiratory illness were reported in Wuhan, China, travelers have carried the virus to at least four other countries, including the United States. More than 400 people have been infected, at least 17 have died — and the world is bracing itself for what might come next.
Several countries have already begun screening travelers from China for fever and cough. Airports in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco last week started to screen arriving flights from Wuhan, and airports in Atlanta and Chicago will begin doing so this week. “Testing is possible because China immediately shared the genetic sequence of the virus, and we have to give them credit for that,” Jasarevic said.
SARS often caused severe illness, so cases were detectable; aggressive public health measures, including quarantines and travel restrictions, helped stamp out the epidemic. Denison described the new Wuhan coronavirus as “sort of a first cousin of SARS,” more closely related to it than to MERS, based on its genetic sequence.
“Now that you have a cluster of 14 health care workers infected, it suggests that the potential for spread is much greater,” said Dr. Ian W. Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York, who has researched SARS and MERS.
It is possible, he said, that super-spreaders had received a high dose of the virus and had more of it to transmit. Alternatively, their immune systems might have not been able to control the virus, allowing it to multiply and spread extensively in their bodies, making them more contagious.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
At Least 3 Dead In China As Officials Say New Virus Can Spread With Human ContactHundreds of millions of people are expected to travel both domestically and abroad for Lunar New Year, prompting fears the coronavirus could spread quickly.
Read more »
New China virus claims sixth victim as holiday travel stokes riskThe outbreak of a deadly new virus in China could spread through human contact, Chinese officials have confirmed. The World Health Organization has called on a meeting on Wednesday to consider declaring a global health emergency. More details are here:
Read more »
Outbreak from new virus rises to 440 in China, with 9 deadBEIJING (AP) — The number of cases of a new virus has risen to 440 in China and the death toll has risen to 9, Chinese health authorities said Wednesday. Deputy Director of the National...
Read more »
Wall Street falls as China virus reaches the U.S.Wall Street lost ground on Tuesday, backing away from record highs as a viral ou...
Read more »