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Coronavirus Deaths Rise as Health Agencies Try to Curb Its Spread

Carol Pearson

   WASHINGTON - A new virus spreads within and outside China, and the
   World Health Organization has confirmed nearly 500 cases, including
   nearly 20 deaths. Health officials are scrambling to contain the
   disease, but the virus is new and not much is known about it.

   People from China are being screened at airports, both in their own
   country and abroad. They're being checked for fever and other symptoms
   of a new respiratory virus.

   The virus is a coronavirus. It's called that because under a
   microscope, the virus appears to be surrounded by a crown.

   The common cold is an example of a coronavirus and so are SARS --
   severe acute respiratory syndrome -- and MERS -- Middle East
   respiratory syndrome. SARS originated 17 years ago at a food market in
   China. Scientists traced the virusto civets, catlike animals that were
   sold for food.

   MERS emerged in 2012.

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