Precisely during Chinese New Year celebrations, two first cases of corona virus were discovered in Beijing capital • Authorities have to admit: "This is a contagious disease"

• Medical staff at Wuhan Hospital // Photo: Reuters

China's authorities yesterday reported a sharp rise in the corona virus, including two cases that were first discovered in Beijing.

The outbreak is set against the backdrop of Chinese New Year celebrations, with hundreds of millions in motion across the country - en route to celebrate the holiday with their families. Since the disease was identified last month, 198 cases have been found, of which three people died. Researchers link the virus infection center to the Wuhan fish market. This is a relatively new virus, reminiscent of SARS, and has been discovered in the city of Ho Han, China. Apparently, the virus started eating contaminated food in the market. Yesterday, for the first time, authorities in China acknowledged that the disease was transmitting from patient to patient, after denying that the disease was contagious.

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In the meantime, a first case of the disease was discovered outside China's borders. A Chinese woman in her 30s was diagnosed with a virus after landing at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. At the same time, six East Asian countries and three U.S. airports announced yesterday that they will begin testing and screening of passengers arriving from China, due to concerns about the Corona virus.

The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance on how to treat the virus. In the first stage, it is highly recommended to avoid eating raw foods, and to stay away from non-sterile zoos and food markets. Also, hospitals and areas where the virus is common should be avoided.

If you suffer from shortness of breath and fever, you may want to contact the emergency room, inform in advance that you intend to arrive - and there they will take care of the patient's isolation. It is important to consult a physician before taking off to one of the affected areas and it is important to be up to date on the current condition.

While in Israel, the Ministry of Health has not yet issued instructions to travelers to China and the region. "There is still some difficulty in realizing proper treatment and there are also dozens of people in China who are in very difficult condition. In just a few days we will know more details and how to cope," said Professor Eyal Leshem, an infectious disease specialist at Shiba Hospital and Herzliya Medical Center.

Shanghai airport passengers // Photo: Reuters

"China - a huge country"

According to Professor Leshem, "Flying to Asia and the countries to which the virus has come is now a form of gambling - though not great. It's important to remember that this is a huge country with more than a billion inhabitants. Big countries, and it is not clear at this time how dangerous they are. "

Despite the danger, a check with hikers and large sites indicates that Israelis are still unmoved by the mysterious virus and are not afraid to reach Asia in general and China in particular.

One of the employees at the "Traveler" store in Dizengoff Center said that the travelers did not express any particular concern about the virus, which is similar to the deadly SARS. "Too many blows, meanwhile, there are only a few victims," ​​the worker added, "saying that even the flu is the worst ever and that's not true. There are a billion Chinese, and only about two hundred have been infected."