The Contagious Coronavirus

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BEIJING, CHINA – JANUARY 25: Chinese women and a child all wear protective masks as they walk under decorations in a park after celebrations for the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival were cancelled by authorities on January 25, 2020 in Beijing, China. The number of cases of a deadly new coronavirus rose to over 1300 in mainland China Saturday as health officials locked down the city of Wuhan earlier in the week in an effort to contain the spread of the pneumonia-like disease which medicals experts have been confirmed can be passed from human to human. In an unprecedented move, Chinese authorities put travel restrictions on the city of Wuhan and neighbouring cities affecting a population of over 35 million. The number of those who have died from the virus in China climbed to at least 41 on Saturday and cases have been reported in other countries including the United States, Australia, France, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Lubanah Alayoubi and Melanie Bilbao

For several weeks, China has endured a fatal epidemic that has spread rapidly among its cities. Now, it appears that the outbreak is traveling to different regions around the world.

The coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that arise within mammals and birds. In humans, the virus can cause respiratory infections that can lead to fatality. 

The viruses originated in the central city of Wuhan and has spread rapidly throughout all of China. It has even reached the United States through citizens who have recently visited China. The reason why so many people are dying from this disease has to do with the consumption of infected animals. Since contaminated animal meats are often sold to Chinese meat markets, costumers are easily exposed to all sorts of infections. As a result, when they consume these meats, they are susceptible to the coronavirus.

As of now, 132 Chinese civilians have died from the disease, along with 5,974 confirmed coronavirus cases. In addition, there are 5 confirmed cases in the US with 110 people being investigated in 26 states. 

To protect themselves, people are wearing safety suits and masks that will prevent exposure to the fatal infection.