China warns virus could mutate, spread as death toll rises

China warns virus could mutate, spread as death toll rises(Source AFP) A new virus that has killed nine people, infected hundreds and already reached the United States could mutate and spread, China warned Wednesday, as authorities scrambled to contain the disease during the Lunar New Year travel season. The coronavirus has caused alarm for its similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. In Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, authorities cancelled large public events and urged visitors to stay away, telling residents not to leave the central Chinese city of 11 million people. The illness is mainly transmitted via the respiratory tract and there “is the possibility of viral mutation and further spread of the disease,” National Health Commission vice minister Li Bin said at a news conference in Beijing. A prominent expert from China’s National Health Commission confirmed this week that the virus can be passed between people. However, animals are suspected to be the primary source of the outbreak, as a seafood market where live animals were sold in the Wuhan was identified as ground zero for the virus. “We already know that the disease originated from a market which conducted illegal transaction of wild animals,” said Gao Fu, director of the Chinese centre for disease control and prevention. On Wednesday, the commission announced measures to contain the disease, including sterilisation and ventilation at airports and bus stations, as well as inside planes and trains.

People are being urged to wash their hands regularly, avoid crowded places, open windows to allow in fresh air, and wear a mask if they have a cough. Anyone with a cough or fever should go to a hospital, Li said. At Beijing’s main international airport on Wednesday, the majority of people were wearing masks. In Wuhan, Mayor Zhou Xianwang urged residents not to leave the city and visitors to stay away if there is no reason for them to come.

“If it’s not necessary we suggest that people don’t come to Wuhan,” Wang told state broadcaster CCTV.

Police were conducting spot checks for live poultry or wild animals in vehicles leaving and entering the city, state media said.

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