Recently, there has been an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, the capital city of Central China's Hubei Province. Hundreds of cases have been discovered later in Beijing, Shanghai and several other cities. A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the causative virus by Chinese authorities.

What is a novel coronavirus? What are the symptoms and what can you do to protect yourself? To help our Pekingers and followers stay healthy and fit during this winter break and enjoy a blissful Spring Festival, we provide you with a quick Q&A introduction of the newly detected virus —

Zhong Nanshan

Dr. Zhong Nanshan, a national award-winning respiratory expert who graduated from Peking University Medical School in 1960s, helped identify the SARS virus during its outbreak in China in 2003. He is now leading the panel on the novel coronavirus outbreak for China's National Health Commission. Although being 84 years old, he insisted to come in person to Wuhan, the frontier of this fierce anti-virus battle.

What is a novel coronavirus?

It is a new strain of coronavirus that has not yet been previously identified in humans.

What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

What are the symptoms of someone infected with a novel coronavirus?

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Can the novel coronavirus be transmitted from person to person?

Yes. Zhong Nanshan, a respiratory expert now leading the panel on the outbreak for China's National Health Commission, confirmed that the new coronavirus can be spread through human-to-human contact.

What can I do to protect myself?

Maintain basic hand and respiratory hygiene and safe food practices, and avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. Wearing masks when going out and washing hands frequently are recommended.

Wish you all have a happy and smooth winter vacation!

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Vacation Tip | Watch Out for the Novel Coronavirus!

Writer: Pu Hairui

Editor: Amanda Hu

Photos: CGTN, Xinhua News, World Health Organization

Designer: Pu Hairui

Source: World Health Organization, China's National Health Commission