Factbox: What We Know about the New Coronavirus

After an outbreak in central Wuhan area, at least nine people died from a new coronavirus in China, and more than 470 cases have been reported worldwide, most of them in China, where the infection has spread more rapidly in recent days.

Global health officials and financial markets believe the pace of transmission will increase when hundreds of millions of Chinese fly home and abroad during the forthcoming week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

KNOWN CASES

By the end of January 21, China's National Health Commission confirmed nine deaths and 440 cases.

Thailand has reported four cases, and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States one each. All of those cases involved people who had recently been in Wuhan.

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING ORIGIN

Chinese health authorities are still trying to determine the sources of the outbreak, which they say comes from a Wuhan market where wildlife was illegally sold. World Health Organization (WHO) claims the most likely source seems to be an insect.

China's National Health Commission Vice Minister Li Bin told reporters during a briefing on Jan. 22 there is evidence of respiratory transmission of the virus from patient to patient.

Chinese authorities have also said 15 medical staff have been infected.

Some experts say the virus may not be as deadly as some other coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed nearly 800 people during a 2002-2003 outbreak also originating from China.

COUNTER-MEASURES

There is no vaccine for the new virus, which China says is mutating. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing.

Chinese authorities have stepped up monitoring and disinfection efforts ahead of the Lunar New Year break that formally starts on Jan. 24 when many of China's 1.4 billion people will travel domestically and overseas.

They have also advised people to not travel to Wuhan and also asked Wuhan residents to remain in the city.

Airport authorities in the United States as well as many Asian countries, including Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and South Korea, stepped up the screening of passengers from Wuhan.

Singapore announced on Jan. 21 it will quarantine individuals with pneumonia and travel history to Wuhan within 14 days before the onset of symptoms. Taiwan's government on Jan. 22 advised people to not visit Wuhan unless they absolutely must and suspended Wuhan tourist groups from visiting the island.

The WHO sent directives to hospitals around the world on infection prevention and control. It has also convened an emergency committee of experts on Jan. 22 to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international emergency.

PUBLIC, COMPANIES REACT

While the WHO has yet to recommended trade or travel restrictions, some Chinese travel booking platforms and airlines have offered free cancellations for Wuhan trips.

Beyond Wuhan, some Chinese have begun canceling other travel plans for the Lunar New Year season and avoiding public areas like cinemas and shopping centers. Companies are handing out masks and warning staff to avoid Wuhan.

Shanghai's Disneyland will waive some rescheduling fees for customers that change travel plans. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd will let passengers to Wuhan change or cancel flights without charge through Feb. 15 and permit cabin crew to wear masks on flights to the mainland.

Source: Reuters