BEIJING: A new virus that has killed nine people, infected hundreds and already reached the United States could mutate and spread, China warned Wednesday, as authorities scrambled to contain the disease during the Lunar New Year travel season.
The illness is mainly transmitted via the respiratory tract and there “is the possibility of viral mutation and further spread of the disease”, National Health Commission vice minister Li Bin said at a news conference in Beijing. But they still have not been able to confirm the exact source of the virus, which has infected 440 people across the country.
North Korea will ban foreign tourists entirely to protect itself against the virus, according to a major tour operator.A prominent expert from China’s National Health Commission confirmed this week that the virus can be passed between people. “This might be the cause, so the disease could be on an animal, and then passed on from this animal to a human.”Countries have been intensifying efforts to stop the spread of the pathogen – known by its technical name 2019 Novel Coronavirus – as the number of cases jumped, raising concerns in the middle of a major Chinese holiday travel rush.
In Wuhan, Mayor Zhou Xianwang urged residents not to leave the city and visitors to stay away if there is no reason for them to come.