WHO panel to discuss new coronavirus amid human transmission concerns

A World Health Organization (WHO) emergency panel is set to convene this week to discuss a novel coronavirus that has spread beyond China and has been confirmed to be transmissible between humans.

The virus, first identified in Wuhan, has raised concerns due to its similarity to SARS, which caused significant fatalities in 2002-2003.

As of Tuesday, 218 cases have been confirmed in China, with Beijing and Shanghai reporting more instances, and a fourth death occurring in Wuhan.

A leading Chinese scientist, Zhong Nanshan, confirmed human-to-human transmission, noting that 15 medical personnel in Wuhan have been infected.

The WHO is considering declaring the outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern,' a designation reserved for severe epidemics.

Cases have also been reported in South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Australia, with travelers from Wuhan being the primary affected group.

Wuhan has implemented detection measures at transport hubs, including fever checks and quarantine measures for those diagnosed.