Chinese Coronavirus: A Mysterious Infection That Scares People

Around 600 people infected and 17 deaths due to the Chinese coronavirus: here is the current statistic, the numbers of which keep increasing. An infection more mysterious than the plague which is already claiming victims in neighboring countries and which is scaring the whole world. Where is the epicenter of the epidemic and what is the reaction of the World Health Organization? Decryption.

One type of coronavirus is scary in China and not only

The serious infection that is shaking the Chinese indeed represents a new type of coronavirus that is not well known for the moment. This group includes a large number of different viruses that can cause harmless illnesses such as a cold, but also more serious conditions such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It triggered an epidemic in 2002-2003 resulting in the deaths of around 800 people, mainly in mainland China and Hong Kong.

Temporarily titled "2019-nCoV", this type of virus shares 80% similarities with SARS from a genetic point of view, confirms Professor Arnaud Fontanet. The Chinese virus is therefore characterized by fever and a persistent cough. The latter is rather mild but may turn into respiratory failure and even lead to heart complications, especially in the elderly or those in poor health.

On the spread side, this infectious disease is transmitted from human to human, confirms renowned Chinese scientist Zhong Nanshan. According to the World Health Organization, it appears that an animal is the primary source of the Chinese virus outbreak. For your information, it was detected for the first time in December in Wuhan.

Wuhan city - the epicenter of the epidemic

The Chinese city of Wuhan, with a population of 11 million, is proving to be the hotbed of the mysterious infection. From today, trains, planes and buses will be suspended in an attempt to contain the epidemic. What's more, residents will not be allowed to leave the city without a specific reason.

WHO experts have announced that they will refrain from declaring a global health emergency but will continue discussions in Geneva today.

To generalize, risk groups include children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The symptoms are similar to those of pneumonia and bronchitis. Currently, cases have also been recorded in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and even the United States.