Chinese virus: new case in Seoul. Fears of outbreak linked to Lunar New Year
by Wang Zhicheng

The victim is a 35-year-old woman who visited Wuhan, considered the epicenter of the infection. In addition to South Korea and China, there are infected in Japan and Thailand. Over 130 new infections and one more death in Wuhan. Infections revealed in Beijing, Shenzhen and Zhejiang. The fear of a new Sars.


Beijing (AsiaNews) - The South Korean authorities confirmed the presence of the first case of Chinese virus, originating in the city of Wuhan this morning). With the cases already reported in Japan and Thailand, it is feared that the virus, similar to Sars in creating breathing difficulties, will spread throughout Asia, especially at the lunar New Year. This is when hundreds of millions of Chinese go on vacation abroad or to return to their villages of origin, increasing the chances of infection.

The first patient in South Korea is a 35-year-old woman from Wuhan (Hubei), discovered at the airport with symptoms of fever and breathing difficulties. The woman was immediately placed in quarantine and checks were made on the passengers and crew who traveled with her. The woman had previously been to the hospital in Wuhan for these symptoms.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have confirmed that another person has died from the virus, bringing the official death toll to three. They also announced - for the first time - that there are infections in other areas of China. The National Health Commission revealed that two infected people were discovered in Beijing and one in Shenzhen. Other suspected cases, pending confirmation, are eight people in Shenzhen, quarantined, and five in Zhejiang.

Wuhan authorities said another 130 and more new infections were discovered last weekend, bringing the total to 198 in central China alone.

According to the World Health Organization, the virus may have originated in the seafood or animal market in Wuhan. Several experts say that there would  already be over 1700 infected in China alone.