BEIJING: The death toll from a mysterious flu-like virus in China climbed to six on Tuesday (Jan 21) as new cases surged beyond 300 and authorities fretted about the added risk from millions of Chinese travelling for the Chinese New Year holiday.
Round the world, airports tightened screening of travellers from China as officials confirmed the coronavirus strain is contagious between humans.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) called a meeting for Wednesday to consider declaring a global health emergency.
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Local health authorities across China have reported more than 300 cases in all, mostly in Wuhan, a provincial capital and transportation hub, where the virus may have originated at a seafood market.
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There have been six deaths in that city, Mayor Zhou Xianwang told Chinese state television on Tuesday.
READ: Hong Kong scientists warn of 'super spreader' Wuhan virus, say more than 1,300 likely infected
READ: China confirms human-to-human transmission of Wuhan virus
The virus has been spreading around other parts of China, however, including five cases in capital Beijing. Fifteen medical personnel are among those infected.
Chinese media reported new cases in more provinces including Tianjin, Zhejiang, Chongqing, Shandong and Sichuan.
Thailand has reported two cases and South Korea one, all involving Chinese travellers from Wuhan. Japan and Taiwan also confirmed one case each.
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"Information about newly reported infections suggest there may now be sustained human-to-human transmission," said WHO's regional director for the western Pacific, Takeshi Kasai.
Taiwan on Monday set up an epidemic response command centre. More than 1,000 beds were prepared in isolation wards in case the virus spreads further.
Though the origin of the virus was yet to be identified, WHO said the primary source was probably animal. Chinese officials have linked the outbreak to Wuhan's seafood market.
READ: Wuhan pneumonia outbreak – Thai man possibly infected, authorities investigating
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The virus can cause pneumonia, with symptoms including fever and difficulty in breathing. As those symptoms are similar to many other respiratory diseases, extra screening is needed.
So far, the WHO has not recommended trade or travel restrictions but such measures could be discussed at Wednesday's meeting.
The outbreak, which began in the central city of Wuhan, also sent shivers through financial markets as investors recalled the fallout from China's Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2002/2003 that it initially covered up.
The SARS coronavirus killed nearly 800 people then.
READ: Wuhan pneumonia outbreak: Asia ramps up defence against coronavirus
"We'll stay at home during the holiday. I'm scared as I remember SARS very well," said Zhang Xinyuan, who had been bound from BeijRead More – Source
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