First case of China coronavirus identified in Washington

 

By BBN Staff: International media reports indicate that a man in Washington, USA has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, a virus that began spreading last month in China and has claimed the lives of 6 people and sickened hundreds more.The man reportedly arrived in the United States last week before officials began screening travelers for the deadly virus.

Chinese authorities report that there has been multiple cases and the virus is suspected to have begun among people who shopped or worked at an animal market in Wuhan.

 But its rapid spread led officials to conclude that people, as well as animals, can transmit the infection.

Due to the rapid spread of the virus, the World Health Organization has convened a meeting for Wednesday to decide whether to declare the outbreak an international public health emergency.

Symptoms of the virus infection include respiratory problems, difficulties breathing, fever and cough, and can lead to severe cases of pneumonia, kidney failure, acute respiratory syndrome (when fluid builds up in the lungs) and death.

The elderly, young and those with an already weakened immune system are at a higher risk of developing severe lower-respiratory tract diseases, like bronchitis and pneumonia.

This morning, the Ministry of Health issued a statement informing all Belizeans that it is aware and is monitoring the international alerts in relation to the new strain of coronavirus that has been linked to severe cases of respiratory tract infections.