More than 50 people in southeastern China have been infected with a mysterious virus that causes serious lung diseases and has dismayed the international medical community. Seven of these cases are considered serious, as reported by the British public network BBC.
Infections that have contracted 59 people and that cause pneumonia are related to a new strain of the coronavirus . In 2002, a member of this viral family, Sars (acute and severe respiratory syndrome), infected about 8,000 people in 37 countries and killed 774.
"There is a strong memory of Sars , hence it comes a lot from fear, but we are much more prepared to deal with such diseases," Dr. Josie Golding of the Wellcome Trust told the BBC.
Although the virus is new, the good news is that there have been no infections from person to person. Until now, all cases seem to have been caused by the proximity to animals.
"There has always been a threat of coronavirus," the molecular virology professor Jonathan Ball of the University of Nottingham told The Telegraph. "These are viruses that are widespread in many different animals and have demonstrated the ability in the past to jump from animals to humans."
It is still unknown which animal could be behind the outbreak, a fundamental step in its containment. But the cases are associated with the South China seafood market in Wuhan City . And while some marine mammals such as the beluga whale could have transmitted it, it is more likely due to chickens, bats, rabbits or snakes, which are also sold in the market, the BBC reported.
All patients with symptoms began to experience them between December 12 and 29, 2019. No more cases have been reported since then.
What is the risk and how does it compare to other epidemics?
Although the virus has not spread from one human being to another, this could change with some mutation, a frequent phenomenon.
“It seems that this virus is jumping to humans, but it is not spreading. The concern is that if you have a new virus that is being explored by a human host, it is possible that it will mutate and spread more easily in humans, "explained Professor Ball.
Coronaviruses belong to a family that can infect both animals and humans. In addition to Sars and the new strain, five others have been identified in people.
Mers, the Middle East respiratory syndrome, first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012, infected 2,500 people, of which 850 died.
Population density and the proximity of people and animals are contagion factors. Only Wuhan, where all cases of the new virus have been reported, inhabit some 11 million people.
The Chinese authorities have closed the market where it is believed that contagion began and about 150 people who were in contact with the sick are being monitored. They have also placed temperature detectors for travelers at airports, the BBC reported.
The World Health Organization has confirmed the finding of the Chinese authorities and said that it is a "considerable achievement." But it does not currently recommend travel restrictions or flights to China.
Although the autonomous Chinese territory of Hong Kong and Singapore have introduced disease surveillance measures for travelers from Wuhan.
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Alert for Disease X, a mysterious plague that can exterminate Humanity