Outbreak has killed 17, stricken hundreds and reached countries as far as the US. FMTNews China
BEIJING: China placed the city at the centre of a virus outbreak under effective quarantine on Thursday, suspending outward flights and trains in a drastic step to contain a contagious disease that has killed 17, stricken hundreds and reached other countries.
The coronavirus has caused alarm because of its similarity to SARS , which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.The first case of the new virus was confirmed on Dec 31, and it has since been detected in Japan, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.
The emergency committee will meet again from 1100 GMT on Thursday, after its chair, Didier Houssin, said the experts were split over declaring a public health emergency.Asked about Wuhan’s transport shutdown, Tedros said: “By having a strong action not only will they control the outbreak in their country but they will also minimise the chances of this outbreak spreading internationally”.
Authorities in Wuhan also made it mandatory to wear a mask in public places, according to state media. Animals are suspected to be the primary source of the outbreak, with Chinese health officials saying that the virus originated from the market where wild animals were illegally sold. Passengers are facing screening measures at five US airports and a host of transport hubs across Asia.
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