A mystery virus - previously unknown to science - is causing severe lung disease in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has been detected in two other countries.
Two people are known to have died from the virus, which appeared in the city in December.
There are nearly 50 confirmed cases of the virus, but UK experts estimate the figure is closer to 1,700.
A new virus arriving on the scene, leaving patients with pneumonia, is always a worry and health officials around the world are on high alert.
But is this a brief here-today-gone-tomorrow outbreak or the first sign of something far more dangerous?
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51048366
While we await CTnuts telling us this is all a plot by the CIA and the Deep State, possibly aimed at discrediting the Russians and assassinating Donald Trump, the truth is that new virus come around every year and a fair proportion of them come from China - which isn't to say there's no risk but it does say there's probably no conspiracy.
By all appearance this is a form of viral pneumonia not dissimilar to the coronavirus and I would estimate that in the several months it will take for the virus to work it's way Westwards a vaccine will be found (or if you're a CTnut Big Pharma will release the vaccine that it created alongside the virus, whatever). From what we've seen so far while the illness is very unpleasant the mortality rate from this virus isn't excessive - around 1.5% - up until now. As with most viruses once you've got it you're stuck with it for the duration so vaccination will be your best option to avoid it.
I write this ahead of all the scare stories and look forward to the shrieking hysteria blaming immigrants, the EU and the death of Princess Diana that will be the same story in the Daily Express shortly
