Report: Human-to-human spread of coronavirus occurred in December
by Elizabeth ShimJan. 31 (UPI) -- Chinese health experts say human-to-human transmission cases of the deadly coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan were occurring in December, although local authorities were ruling out secondary infections at the time.
Beijing News reported Friday researchers from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the provincial Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other regional bureaus said in a recent study experts agree human-to-human transmissions took place in December.
The Chinese news service was quoting a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed the results of a study of 425 patients in Wuhan.
Human-to-human transmission cases were taking place in December, according to the study.
"On the basis of this information, there is evidence that human-to-human transmission has occurred among close contacts since the middle of December 2019," the researchers said.
"Considerable efforts to reduce transmission will be required to control outbreaks if similar dynamics apply elsewhere."
The Wuhan Municipal Health Committee denied human-to-human transmission was occurring on Dec. 31. It denied human-to-human infections again on Jan. 5 and Jan. 11, and did not change its position until Jan. 16.
"While we have found no evidence of human-to-human transmission, we cannot rule it out," the committee said Jan. 16. "But the risk of persistent human-to-human transmission is relatively low."
Zhong Nanshan, a renowned scientist at China's National Health Commission, confirmed for the first time on Jan. 20 during a Chinese state television interview there is "definite" evidence the virus transmits between people, but the World Health Organization did not declare a global health emergency until Thursday.
Foreign governments are increasingly calling for tighter restrictions against travel.
Japan's Mainichi Shimbun reported Friday Tokyo is moving qualifying matches for the Olympics scheduled for Wuhan in February to other parts of the world, including Amman, Jordan.
Tokyo's Olympic Committee has also been denying rumors on Twitter that claim the 2020 Summer Olympics have been canceled, according to reports.
(0) Leave a comment
upi.com/6980671
Latest Headlines
World News // 4 hours ago
Mohammed Allawi named as Iraq's prime minister-designate
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Protests broke out in the streets of Iraq Saturday after Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi was named Iraq's minister-designate.
World News // 5 hours ago
South Africa police search for killers of 9 illegal miners stoned to death
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- South Africa police said Saturday they have taken 87 people into custody for questioning in the search for killers of nine illegal miners stoned to death Friday in an alleged clash with rivals.
World News // 6 hours ago
Rescued koalas named after Americans who died fighting bush fires
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Three koalas displaced and injured in Australia's ongoing bush fires have been named after three American aerial fighters killed in an air-tanker crash in New South Wales last week.
World News // 8 hours ago
After Brexit, the EU's geographic center shifts to a German field
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A red-and-white pole in a non-descript German field outside Gadheim, a village of 80 people, marks the geographic center of the EU now that Britain has officially left.
World News // 14 hours ago
Coronavirus kills 259 in China, nearly 12,000 infected worldwide
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- China's death toll from the coronavirus rose to at least 259 people Saturday as the number of cases worldwide rose to nearly 12,000.
World News // 9 hours ago
Palestinian Authority cuts ties with Israel, United States
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday he has cut ties with the United States and Israel as Arabs rejected the Trump administration's Middle East peace plan.
World News // 11 hours ago
Authorities charge 2 over burglary of Formula 1 heiress' home in London
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Authorities charged two people Saturday in connection with raid on Formula 1 Group heiress Tamara Ecclestone's home in London.
World News // 12 hours ago
Bush fires near Australia's capital prompt state of emergency
Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Officials declared a state of emergency in the Australian Capital Territory of about 400,000 people amid the country's worst bush fire threat in 17 years.
World News // 1 day ago
Britain, Sweden confirm first coronavirus cases
Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Health officials in Britain and Sweden confirmed their first cases of coronavirus as the worldwide number of cases rose above 10,000 Friday.
World News // 1 day ago
Pompeo says Zelensky White House meeting will happen at 'right time'
Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday the White House will "find the right time" to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington for a meeting with President Donald Trump.