Viral outbreak's confirmed cases soar as China confirms human transmission

Cases of novel coronavirus infection in China have tripled over the weekend, sparking global concerns about an outbreak.

For story suggestions or custom animation requests, contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw.

Visit http://archive.nextanimationstudio.com to view News Direct's complete archive of 3D news animations.

RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Cases of novel coronavirus infection in China have tripled over the weekend, sparking global concerns about an outbreak.

China's state-run Xinhua News reports that there are 218 confirmed cases, mostly in the city of Wuhan.

The BBC reports that three have died and nine are in critical condition.

China Daily yesterday reported that a fourth fatality occurred in Wuhan, where 15 medical workers have caught the disease as they try to help the patients.

The BBC reports that the virus has spread, with five cases in Beijing, one in Shanghai and one in Shenzhen.

Outside of China, four cases have been confirmed, two in Thailand, one in Japan and a new case in South Korea.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports that health officials have confirmed that human to human transmission has occurred in two cases.

According to the BBC, genetic analysis has identified the pathogen as a SARS-like coronavirus strain and one of the seven coronaviruses capable of infecting humans.

The pneumonia-like infection causes coughing, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and fever.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

Cases of novel coronavirus have tripled over the weekend in China 2.

Fourth fatality and 15 medical workers infected is reported in Wuhan 3.

Outbreak spread to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen as Lunar New Year nears 4.

Cases confirmed in Thailand, Japan, South Korea 5.

Virus can transmit animal to human and human to human 6.

Symptoms of novel coronavirus infection VOICEOVER (in English): "Cases of novel coronavirus infection in China have tripled over the weekend, sparking global concerns about an outbreak." "China's state-run Xinhua News reports that there are 218 confirmed cases, mostly in the city of Wuhan.

The BBC reports that three have died and nine are in critical condition." "China Daily yesterday reported that a fourth fatality occurred in Wuhan, where 15 medical workers have caught the disease as they try to help the patients." "Millions of Chinese are traveling in the country to celebrate the Lunar New Year vacation, which will begin on Friday." "The BBC reports that the virus has spread, with five cases in Beijing, one in Shanghai and one in Shenzhen." "Outside of China, four cases have been confirmed, two in Thailand, one in Japan and a new case in South Korea." "The BBC reports that in each case, the infected person had recently visited Wuhan before falling ill." "Scientists believe the infection's main source is animal-based and have advised people not to handle live chickens without protection and to thoroughly cook meat and eggs." "However, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports that health officials have confirmed that human to human transmission has occurred in two cases." "According to the BBC, genetic analysis has identified the pathogen as a SARS-like coronavirus strain and one of the seven coronaviruses capable of infecting humans." "According to the WHO, scientists are calling the pathogen 2019-nCoV." "The pneumonia-like infection causes coughing, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties and fever." SOURCES: BBC, Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, World Health Organization (Twitter) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51171035 http://api.xinhua-news.com/mroute/newsdetail/101002020012000004158?dest=A2BDp0suQ5YFdRirZW51bAbgWO8p4xBiAbw5oCraqUwY https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202001/21/WS5e263e0aa3107bb6b579b0d2.html https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1219317208205209600 *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377