- Wuhan has temporarily shut down its public transport due to Coronavirus.
- Around 17 people have died with around 500 people confirmed to be affected.
- The new strain of coronavirus not previously identified in humans and believed to have been originated from a seafood market.
According to an article published in BBC News, the Chinese city Wuhan has temporarily shut down its public transport as it tries to rein in the outbreak of Coronavirus.
The city placed under quarantine
Image copyright: GETTY IMAGES
People in the city have asked not to leave the city in view of the Lunar New Year holiday. Moreover, the virus outbreak has spread to other parts of China, with some cases reported in other countries. Till now, it has been estimated that around 17 people have died with around 500 people confirmed to be affected by the virus.
What is Coronavirus?
Currently called 2019-nCoV, the virus is understood to be a new strain of coronavirus not previously identified in humans. The Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus that killed nearly 800 people globally in the early 2000s was also a coronavirus, as is the common cold. All the fatalities so far have been reported in Hubei, the province around Wuhan.
The virus is believed to have originated in a seafood market in Wuhan that “conducted illegal transactions of wild animals“, authorities said. The market has since been shut down. There is also evidence of human to human transmission with the new virus spreading to family members and healthcare workers.
The virus infects the lungs and symptoms start with a fever and cough. It can progress to shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Global emergency not yet declared
After prolonged discussions, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emergency committee has announced it will not yet declare a “global emergency“ over the new virus.
Director general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said more information was needed about the spread of the infection. The committee of health experts will meet again on Thursday.
A global emergency is the highest level of alarm the WHO can sound and has previously been used in response to swine flu, Zika virus and Ebola.
What measures have been announced?
From Thursday, all flights and passenger train services out of Wuhan have been stopped. Also, bus, subway and ferry services have all been shut down from 10:00 local time.
A special command centre in Wuhan set up to contain the virus said the move was meant to “resolutely contain the momentum of the epidemic spreading“.
Those living in Wuhan had already been told to avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings.
State news agency Xinhua said tourist attractions and hotels in the city had been told to suspend large-scale activities while libraries, museums and theatres were cancelling exhibitions and performances. A Lunar New Year prayer-giving ceremony at the city’s Guiyuan Temple, which attracted 700,000 people last year, has also been cancelled.
The WHO’s Dr Ghebreyesus described the latest measures as “very strong“ and said they would “not only control the outbreak, they will minimise spread internationally“.
Chinese officials said the country was now at the “most critical stage“ of prevention and control. “Basically, do not go to Wuhan. And those in Wuhan please do not leave the city,“ said National Health Commission vice-minister Li Bin in one of the first public briefings since the beginning of the outbreak.
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Source: BBCNews
