The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is working to allay public concern about an outbreak of pneumonia centered on the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Chinese authorities have so far recorded 41 cases of Wuhan pneumonia. Six of these cases are severe, and one has been fatal. A new type of coronavirus has been identified as the cause of the disease.
On Wednesday, CDC Director General Chou Jih-haw said that the virus only spreads between humans in limited circumstances. Chou said the main risk of transmission comes from being close to an infected person for an extended period of time. He said this means that only those who live with patients or give them medical care are at risk.
Taiwan has taken precautions to keep the disease out of Taiwan as the busy Lunar New Year travel season approaches. Arriving airline passengers are being screened for signs of illness, and health authorities have been monitoring the condition of several people in Taiwan who became ill after recent travel to Wuhan.