Mysterious illness in China likely being caused by new virus

The cause of the mysterious pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, is likely a new coronavirus, the WHO just confirmed. Coronaviruses cause other infections such as SARS and MERS, and the Wall Street Journal reports that Chinese scientists have discovered a new coronavirus that may be responsible for the new spate of illnesses. Chinese authorities have yet to confirm the presence of the virus in all the patients affected so far. The outbreak, which has sickened 59 people in the eastern Chinese city, is being linked to a large seafood market that also sells live exotic animals and that has been closed since the beginning of the year. Those affected have had a fever, difficulty breathing, as well as lung lesions as seen through chest imaging. No deaths have been reported.