First infection in Japan with new virus from China

After Thailand, an initial infection with a new virus from China has now also been established in Japan. Reuters news agency reports Thursday. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about this that this new variant of the corona virus can spread worldwide.

The new virus that has similarities with the SARS virus, can lead to pneumonia and became a 61-year-old man in China rather fatal. Dozens of infections were reported last weekend in Wuhan, a city in eastern China with more than 11 million inhabitants. The victims worked at a fish market. The market has since closed.

Wuhan

The victim in Japan is a 30-year-old man who contracted the virus in Wuhan. He came home on January 6 and was admitted to the hospital four days later with persistent fever, coughing and signs of pneumonia. According to the Japanese authorities, the man is now largely recovered and released from the hospital.

In Thailand, the first infection was reported last Wednesday to a Chinese tourist from Wuhan. In the run-up to the Chinese New Year on January 25, 800,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Thailand. The Thai authorities have said to strengthen airport surveillance.

The United States has warned their citizens in Wuhan for the virus. American tourists are called, among other things, to avoid contact with animals or markets where animals are bought.

The SARS virus is also a form of the corona virus. It originated at the end of 2002 in China. There were thousands of infections worldwide. About 800 people died from the virus, according to figures from the WHO.

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