The death toll from a new flu-like coronavirus in China has risen to nine with the number of confirmed cases doubling in 24 hours to 440. 9News
Player Stephanie Catley said she isn't concerned. "We have our doctor here so I'm sure he's keeping an eye on it, and I'm sure we will head over there if it is safe," she said. In China, another 2197 cases of close contact with patients had been confirmed and there was evidence of "respiratory transmission" of the virus, National Health Commission vice-minister Li Bin told reporters on Wednesday.
The Matildas are due to visit the epicenter of the virus in China next week for pre-Olympic qualifiers. As China also vowed to tighten containment measures in hospitals, the World Health Organisation is due to hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to determine whether the outbreak of the new coronavirus constitutes a global health emergency. The virus, originating in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei at the end of last year, has spread to Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai, as well as the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The Chinese government has been providing daily updates on the number of cases in a bid to head off public panic, as millions of people prepare to travel domestically and abroad for the country's Lunar New Year celebrations starting this week. Hubei had been asked to minimise public gatherings and people across the country were urged to avoid densely populated areas in general, the health commission said. China also would step up cooperation with the WHO, Li added.The number of people with the virus will likely increase as surveillance is ramped up. Officials found to have covered up infections would be a "sinner for eternity before the Party and the people", the Chinese Communist Party's Central Political and Legal Commission said in a post on its WeChat social media account that was subsequently deleted. "I'm not sure that we could expect more of them at this stage in the outbreak, particularly when they are understandably focused on responding to the outbreak and trying to contain it ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations," said Adam Kamradt-Scott, an infectious diseases expert at the Centre for International Security Studies at the University of Sydney. Fears of a pandemic similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak that started in China and killed nearly 800 people in 2002-2003 have roiled global markets, with aviation and luxury goods stocks hit particularly hard and the Chinese yuan tumbling. The WHO said on Tuesday the new coronavirus was likely to spread to other parts of China and possibly other countries in coming days. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said new cases would appear as China stepped up monitoring. "If you increase surveillance and testing you are likely to get new numbers," he added. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, one of the airlines affected the most by the SARS outbreak, said it would allow flight attendants to wear a surgical mask while operating mainland China flights due to concerns over the new virus. Travellers wear face masks as they walk outside of the Beijing Railway Station. China has reported a sharp rise in the number of people infected with a new coronavirus, including the first cases in the capital. Taiwan joined Australia in warning citizens to avoid travel to Wuhan, and airports around the world have stepped up screening of travellers from China. "I want to call on our nationals please not to visit this region if not necessary," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page. Fifteen medical personnel are among those infected in China. Symptoms include fever, coughing and difficulty breathing. The viral infection can cause pneumonia. Though the origin of the virus has yet to be identified, WHO said the primary source was probably animal. Chinese officials have linked the outbreak to Wuhan's seafood markets.
Please follow us on Google to support usAustralia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New strain of deadly China virus 'can be transmitted between humans'The spread of the viral pneumonia comes as the country enters its busiest travel period, when millions celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays. 9News
Read more »
Passengers arriving from coronavirus epicentre to be screened in Sydney as death toll risesAustralia's chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy says precautions are being taken at Sydney airport, where three direct flights from Wuhan arrive each week. The new coronvirus has so far killed at least three people and infected hundreds.
Read more »
Coronavirus 'super-spreaders' a potential risk as illness threatens to go globalOne of China's top health experts warns super-spreaders could worsen the impact of the new coronavirus strain, which can now be passed from human to human.
Read more »
Brisbane man tested for coronavirus released from isolationThe travel advice for Wuhan City in China has been raised to level two following the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak across the world. 9News
Read more »
Coronavirus cases in China rise to 440, with nine deadChina's National Health Commission says 440 people in 13 Chinese provinces are now infected with the new strain of coronavirus, with nine people dying.
Read more »
Chinese-Australians cancel flights home as deadly coronavirus spreadsSome Chinese-Australians have been forced to change their Lunar New Year travel plans as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread abbydinham
Read more »