New coronavirus outbreak affects tourism in Canada as confirmed cases in China climb
An expert says Canadian bats are unlikely to be the source of a new coronavirus that is infecting humans and raising global alarm.
by Canadian PressAn expert says Canadian bats are unlikely to be the source of a new coronavirus that is infecting humans and raising global alarm.
Virologist Vikram Misra of the University of Saskatchewan says while Canadian bats do carry coronaviruses, they're a different strain than the one that makes up SARS, MERS and the new virus.
Researchers are closing in on bats as the origin of the new coronavirus scare that has quarantined a Chinese city of 11 million people and infected humans in at least 18 countries.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern," which has so far seen more than 9,600 confirmed cases of the virus reported in China and has killed 213 people.
Travel Alberta, which works to promote tourism to the province, says it's hearing about cancellations of Chinese tourists to Canadian hotspots including Banff and Yellowknife.
In Wuhan, China — the epicentre of the new virus outbreak — public schools were ordered to start teaching online Feb. 10 after the new semester was postponed.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2020.
—With files from AP
The Canadian Press