(Photo Credit: AFP)

Coronavirus outbreak victims airlifted out of China

The United States and several other nations are airlifting their citizens out of Wuhan, China, the center of a Coronavirus outbreak. The Coronavirus is among a strain of viruses, including SARS and MERS, that can lead to serious respiratory distress and death. Over 4,500 cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in China alone.

The Chinese government traced the Coronavirus and believe it originated in a “wet market” in Wuhan, where it spread from infected animals to humans. It has been spreading via human-to-human contact ever since. China has since cut off travel to Wuhan, and various governments are banning travel to the province until the outbreak is over.

Two dozen airports in the U.S. will begin screening passengers arriving on international flights for Coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control announced.

“On arrival to the United States, travelers from China may be asked questions to determine if they need to undergo health screening,” the CDC said. “Travelers with signs and symptoms of illness (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) will have an additional health assessment.”

There have been five confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the United States, including in a college student who had traveled to Wuhan and returned to campus with the virus. An additional 110 people are currently being monitored by the CDC because of exposure to the virus.