How mysterious Covid-like 'China virus' spreads as cases spotted across Europe
A new Covid-like disease that is sweeping across China and flooding the country’s hospitals with sick children can be spread in a number of different ways - including through talking, singing and drinking from a contaminated cup.
The mystery condition prompted officials from the World Health Organisation to demand more information from China over the quickly-spreading illness that has now been traced in Europe. Last week, health experts voiced fears the illness could become a .
But currently there are no specific measures those who visit China are required to follow and no travel restrictions have been put in place, with Chinese officials insisting there has been no new pathogen detected and that children do not appear to be much sicker than usual.
Families with sick children were pictured waiting in hospitals in China amid the surge in respiratory illnesses (Future Publishing via Getty Images)Although the Chinese population does not have to abide by specific restrictions to stop the spread of the disease, experts with the WHO said people should stick to measures to reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses, including keeping distances from those who are ill, staying home when ill, getting tested and medical care, wearing face masks, ensuring good ventilation and practising regular handwashing.
The surge in cases has been largely blamed on a bacterium that infects the lungs known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Its impact has been boosted by the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the arrival of the cold season. It can spread from China to other countries through people who are infected taking flights across the border and carrying the infection with them.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to fly to China for first time since 2020
Since it is a respiratory disease, it spreads in a similar way to coronavirus. Health officials from the UK government have listed specific ways that diseases of this type can be passed on.
How does the disease spread?
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Singing
- Kissing
- Talking in close proximity
- Shaking hands
- Using a contaminated item such as a dirty cup
- Touching a contaminated surface such as a supermarket trolley before touching your mouth or nose
- Being in close proximity to an infected person without good ventilation
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
