Officials confirmed that the new mysterious virus in China that has led to six deaths and affected 300 others can now spread between humans, CNBC reports.
What’s going on: The virus has stoked fears across the world about a potential pandemic over the last few weeks. The outbreak has been compared to MERS and SARS, two diseases that plagued China earlier this century.
- The number of cases jumped to 291.
- Cases have been reported in Thailand, South Korea and Japan so far.
- Taiwan confirmed a case on Tuesday evening.
Context: The norovirus spreading through China has made international headlines throughout the last few months throughout the last week. The illness was originally tied to a specific area of China — called Wuhan — before spreading to other locations,
New warning: The World Health Organization confirmed the disease could spread, according to CNBC.
- WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic (via CNBC): “More cases should be expected in other parts of China and possibly other countries in the coming days.”
Last week: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent 100 staff members to three different airports across the U.S. to monitor for potential inbound travelers, according to the Deseret News.
- The CDC sought people who were coughing or those with breathing issues.
- The CDC reportedly took temperatures for passengers, too, in order to mark who may be infected.