China’s health department has clarified that the mysterious viral pneumonia outbreak was not the flu-like virus SARS which has killed hundreds of people.
At least 59 people were affected by the mysterious flu virus which was first reported in Wuhan Cuty in China which as a population of 11 million.
Some speculated that the mysterious virus could be a resurgence of the deadly and highly contagious SARS virus.
“We have excluded several hypotheses, in particular, the fact that it is a flu, an avian flu, an adenovirus, respiratory syndrome severe acute (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” the Wuhan health commission said.
Chinese authorities added that they already sanctioned eight people for spreading fake news and false information on the internet.
The health commission said seven of the 59 patients were seriously ill; no fatalities have been reported.
Patients are now being treated in quarantine. The infection started between December 12 and 29.
No human-to-human transmission has been reported so far.
“The reported link to a wholesale fish and live animal market could indicate an exposure link to animals,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement.
“The symptoms reported among the patients are common to several respiratory diseases, and pneumonia is common one in the winter season,” the WHO added.
SARS virus had infected more than 8,000 people around the world in 2003. Almost 1,000 indviduals died due to the virus.
