Bats or snakes are possible culprits in China virus outbreak

Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus at the Hong Kong West Kowloon High Speed Train Station, in Hong Kong on January 23 2020. Picture: REUTERS/TYRONE SIUA new strain of coronavirus that emerged in China may have originated in bats or snakes, according to genetic analysis of the virus that has so far killed 17 people.

One study, published on Tuesday in the journal Science China Life Sciences, which is sponsored by Beijing’s Chinese Academy of Sciences, looked at the relations between the new strain and other viruses. “Bats being the native host of the Wuhan CoV would be the logical and convenient reasoning, though it remains likely there was intermediate host in the transmission cascade from bats to humans,” the researchers from several institutions in China wrote in the paper.

“To search for potential virus reservoir, we have carried out a comprehensive sequence analysis and comparison. Results from our analysis suggest that snake is the most probable wildlife animal reservoir,” the paper says.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Wuhan urges people to stay away in bid to contain China virusThe disease is spreading just as hundreds of millions of people are travelling across China to gather with friends and family for the Lunar New Year holiday, which starts on Friday. What is a China virus? 🙄
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

China locks down cities to curb virus outbreakBeijing cancelled massive gatherings that usually attract throngs at temples during the New Year holiday, while the historic Forbidden City will close from Saturday.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

China shuts down transport in virus epicentre as WHO extends talksHundreds of people have been infected with the virus in China and 17 have died since the first case was detected in Wuhan in December
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

China virus dents oil prices amid worries about falling fuel demand“Downside demand risks due to the Wuhan virus appear to be a growing concern for the market, and understandably so, with any clampdown on travel likely to weigh on fuel demand.”
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Global markets slip on fears around China virus“Markets are expressing concern about the growth outlook.”
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Scramble for protective masks in China matches spread of virusChinese cities are experiencing a shortage of sanitary goods as infections of new Sars-like virus rise
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »