WUHAN, CHINA — A mysterious strain of viral pneumonia has affected 59 people in Wuhan, China since mid-December 2019, China Daily reports.
The cause of the infection has yet to be determined.
According to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, some of the victims were sellers at a local seafood market, sparking fear that the virus may have been transmitted from animals to humans.
The market has since been temporarily shut down for disinfection, and patients placed in quarantine.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, with a few of the patients having breathing difficulties.
Chest X-rays from the victims show invasive lesions on both lungs.
Wuhan's health commission said that they have eliminated the possibility of the virus being SARS, MERS or bird flu.
Although a preliminary analysis found no clear evidence of the virus being transmitted from one human to another, at least 163 others were placed under medical observation for coming into close contact with the infected.
Asian nations such as Singapore and Hong Kong have taken precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus by conducting temperature screenings at airports for visitors from China, as reported by BBC News.
The World Health Organization said on its website that it "does not recommend any specific measure for travelers." They said that they are closely monitoring the situation and are in close contact with authorities in China.