Wuhan virus death toll at 17 as city shuts down

Wuhan, the epicenter of a novel flu-like virus, has shut down its transportation networks and urged residents to stay put as the death toll climbed to 17 with over 540 confirmed cases.

The Chinese government is providing regular updates on the outbreak, a shift from its handling of the 2002-03 SARS epidemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to decide whether to declare the outbreak a global health emergency.

The virus, believed to have originated from illegally traded wildlife, has spread to other Chinese cities, as well as Thailand, the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan.

Wuhan's drastic measures are seen as a strong attempt to curb transmission, though experts caution about the potential for widespread community spread.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, and there is currently no effective vaccine.

Companies with operations in China are advising staff to avoid Wuhan and distributing face masks.

Global airports have enhanced screening for travelers from China, and several countries have implemented stricter quarantine and health controls.