Chinese health officials confirm human-to-human spread of new virus

Chinese health officials just confirmed incidents of person-to-person transmission in the outbreak of a new pneumonia-like virus. Two people who hadn’t traveled to Wuhan, where the bulk of cases have occurred, caught the virus from family members. Fourteen medical workers have also tested positive. The WHO says it will now hold a meeting to discuss whether the outbreak constitutes an international health emergency. The case count spiked over the weekend: More than 200 people have been infected, up from around 40 late last week, and six people have died, according to local media. As the disease has spread to Japan, Thailand, and South Korea, the CDC said Friday that it would screen passengers arriving from Wuhan in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. Australia said it would similarly screen those coming from Wuhan.