As coronavirus spreads, anxiety rises in China and overseas

China's coronavirus has so far claimed 9 lives. The virus, originating in the central city of Wuhan at the end of last year, has spread to Beijing and Shanghai, as well as overseas to the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. (AP)

Coronaviruses are a specific family of viruses, with some of them causing less-severe damage, such as the common cold, and others causing respiratory and intestinal diseases. (AP)

Symptoms include fever and difficulty in breathing, which are similar to many other respiratory diseases and pose complications for screening efforts (AP)

Apart from human beings, coronaviruses can affect mammals including pigs, cattle, cats, dogs, martens, camels, hedgehogs and some birds. (Reuters)

WHO said in a statement that further investigations are required to determine the source, modes of transmission and extent of infection caused by the new virus.

Fifteen medical workers in Wuhan had been diagnosed with pneumonia, with one other suspected case, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said. Of the infected staff, one was in critical condition. (Reuters)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said an animal source appears to be the primary source of the outbreak. It called for an emergency meeting of experts on Thursday, January 22, to assess whether the outbreak constitutes an international emergency. (AP)