By: Jordan Coll/Staff Writer
With over 900 cases already reported worldwide according to Chinese government statistics, the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) species known as coronavirus has caused global concerns.
A fifth case was confirmed in the United States on Jan. 26, and two cases were confirmed in France according to the World Health Organization, health officials prepare for the coming days of the widespread virus.
The virus itself causes respiratory symptoms which include the common cold, while other severe cases can cause pneumonia and death. The origin of the virus is still unknown according to the CDC but efforts are being made to screen travelers entering from major airports.
In Wuhan, China, a city with a population of 11 million first reported the outbreak to the World Health Organization by Chinese officials on Dec. 31 of last year.
15 health care workers have become infected in the last several days according to China’s National Health Commission indicated the virus can be transmitted from human to human.
The first case in the United States was announced on Jan. 21, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
At the moment the virus has spread through several different regions including Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Taiwan, and in the Chinese territories of Hong Kong.
The Chinese government has imposed strict travel restrictions in the area of Wuhan. The travel ban includes shutting down train, subway, bus, and ferry services in Wuhan effectively placing the city in a state of quarantine.
CDC will also be expanding their screening from passengers arriving from Wuhan including; Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport
Currently, a 30-year-old man is under medical supervision in Washington state and a woman in her 60s is currently being hospitalized in Chicago.
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