In the city of Wuhan, in central China, at least 59 people are currently suffering from a mysterious pneumonia.
An unidentified virus is beginning to seriously worry the Chinese authorities. Since the first reported case on November 12, at least 59 people are currently affected by a mysterious outbreak of viral pneumonia. More than 160 other people known to have been in close contact with the patients are also under medical observation.
“Symptoms reported in patients are common to several respiratory diseases and pneumonia is common in wintertime “said the Wuhan Municipal Hygiene and Health Commission. She notes, however, that the concentration of cases encourages "prudence and assures that "all patients have been placed in quarantine ". Of this sample, seven people would be seriously affected , but in stable condition.
Regarding the pathogen, the health authorities nevertheless have some certainties. “We have ruled out several hypotheses, including whether it is influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or middle respiratory syndrome. East (MERS) “, one can read in a statement.
We recall that the SARS epidemic, which began in 2002, had killed more than 650 people worldwide, more than half of them in China .
Early elements of the health authorities' investigation also suggest that several of the patients work at the South China Seafood City in Wuhan. This is a market specializing in the wholesale of seafood and fish . Also sold are rabbits and pheasants. The establishment has since been closed (January 1) for hygiene reasons. It is being disinfected .
The Wuhan Municipal Hygiene and Health Commission also clarified that there is no human-to-human transmission for the daylight saving time .
Some have doubts, however. This is the case of Ho Pak-leung, the director of the Center for Infections at the University of Hong Kong. The latter calls for caution, especially in view of the celebration of the Chinese New Year next January 25. Indeed, he points out that it is "very possible that the disease could be contagious.
The epidemic has also prompted authorities in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia to take certain measures. Stricter health checks at borders have for example been implemented. Passenger temperature is also checked on all flights from Wuhan.
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