The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says an investigation is needed to determine what caused a mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China. CDC deputy head Chuang Jen-hsiang spoke about the need on Monday, one day after China gave the CDC an update on the outbreak.
China says that as of Sunday night, there are 59 cases in the central city of Wuhan, with seven patients in critical condition. China says it’s monitoring 163 people who have had close contact with those infected.
Chuang says it’s unclear what’s caused the pneumonia. However, he says health officials have ruled out several possibilities, including: influenza, bird flu, adenovirus, as well as the viruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).
Chuang says that so far there are no clear signs of human-to-human transmission. He says it’s possible that the pneumonia could be transmitted through animals sold at the market, such as bats or camels.
With a large number of people travelling between Taiwan and China, Taiwan’s CDC has stepped up quarantine inspections at the nation’s airports. The CDC has also asked China to allow Taiwanese experts to visit affected areas to learn more about the outbreak.