China locks down two cities at epicenter of virus outbreak

Addis Ababa, January 23, 2020 (FBC) -China put on lockdown on Thursday two cities at the epicenter of a new coronavirus outbreak.

The virus has so far killed 17 people and infected nearly 600, as health authorities around the world scramble to prevent a global pandemic.

Health officials fear the transmission rate will accelerate as hundreds of millions of Chinese travel at home and abroad during week-long holidays for the Lunar New Year, which begins on Saturday.

The previously unknown virus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Most transport in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, was suspended on Thursday morning and people were told not to leave.

Hours later, state media in neighboring Huanggang, a city of some 6 million people, said it was imposing a similar lockdown.

Source: Reuters