Coronavirus: The Growing Concern From China Ahead of Lunar New Year

• Concerns growing in Wuhan as unknown virus is detected.
• Deadly SARS and MERS viruses ruled out.
• Experts believe total number of cases could be over 1,723.

Fears are growing in China amidst the outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus with over 60 confirmed cases but fears the figure is much larger. The coronavirus makes up a broad family of viruses including the common cold and more severe illnesses such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a statementstating that new pneumonia did not belong to commonly known respiratory viruses as reported by the Chinese authorities.

Much is still largely unknown at the moment with China taking precautions through isolating any new cases and remaining focused on monitoring the situation in an effort to minimise possible outbreaks however experts are predicting cases of the virus could have already exceeded 1,723 cases by January 12^th.

The WHO are not currently suggesting people take travel precautions until further evidence is presented.