Main image via NST

Image via NST

Word has gotten around on an outbreak of a new Wuhan virus in China named after the city from where it first emerged.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-like virus has taken the lives of six residents of Wuhan according their mayor, Zhou Xianwang. Experts believe that the infection may have originated in a food market, and that the virus can be transmitted from human-to-human.

Australia has started screening passengers from flights from China, particularly Wuhan and mentions the concern of the virus spreading globally from Chinese travelling abroad. 

Wuhan is far from being a small city with an estimated population of 11 million people, and authorities around the globe have tighten measures on screening travelers from Wuhan. China said it will be attending a meeting held by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday to determine if a global public health emergency needs to be declared.

Thailand, Japan and South Korea have detected four people who have visited Wuhan with the disease, and there is fear that the virus could have a higher chance of spreading as the Lunar New year holiday starts this week and there will be an increase in Chinese travelling abroad during that time.

Wuhan authorities have installed infrared cameras at transport hubs including airports, railway and coach stations around the city to quarantine to passengers with fever to be examined before travelling.

Stay tuned and updated with RAAGA for more health updates.