Fears have begun to spread in China over the coronavirus disease, potentially raising prospects of a health crisis spreading through Asia. Originating in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus disease is a pneumonia-like illness. It has been identified as a cousin of the SARS virus, a sickness that spread across Asia in 2002-2003, infecting over 8000 people and killing 774. Fears of a health crisis are exacerbated as this time collides with the Lunar New Year, a period where the world’s largest human migration begins, with Chinese people returning to their hometowns across the country. With the infections appearing to be from human to human transmission, mass migration is likely to make the virus even harder to contain.

On 31 December, the World Health Organisation was informed that a virus appeared to present in Wuhan, with the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention identifying a seafood market as the source of the disease. Zhong Nanshan, the head of China’s National Health Commission stated that whilst the disease was initially believed to only be transmitted through contact with the seafood market, it now appears to spread between people, with 14 medical staff also infected after treating a carrier. WHO has confirmed that an emergency meeting will take place on Wednesday to discuss methods of containment. Chinese President Xi Jinping released a public statement that all efforts must be taken to contain the virus. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, stated that prevention and control plans are currently in place and that research is being undertaken.

Health crises are major sources of conflict, especially as they are indiscriminate in their attack and often infectious, spreading from person to person. Thus far, the coronavirus disease appears to affect the elderly more acutely though there is currently limited information being released to the public on the full extent of the crisis in Wuhan. The government’s response to the conflict appears to be improved from 2002 when SARS spread across the country. SARS saw coverups and denials though this time, information appears to more widely distributed between state governments. Whilst body temperature monitoring devices have been placed in airports to monitor travelling individuals, crowded places make it ideal for infectious diseases to spread. What makes this virus so difficult to contain is because its initial symptoms are similar to the common cold, making it difficult to detect, and because testing for the diagnosis is relatively high, meaning underreporting is likely to occur. The government must collaborate with Asian nations, as well as international health organizations to quickly limit the spread of contamination through open reporting of statistics and the wide distribution of public information to everyday people.

On 11 January, the Coronavirus resulted in the death of a Chinese individual and the next five days, saw the virus spread beyond the state’s borders to Thailand and Japan. By the 22^nd of January, the sickness has reached the US and Australia, causing states to increase security alerts. Last weekend, 100 new cases of infected persons were announced, sparking fears of a health crisis. The virus has already spread to China’s major cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong. Online, there is a growing concern with Tuesday morning seeing face masks increasingly worn on public transport and online stores running out of masks to sell. As of yet, neither WHO nor Chinese authorities have placed any travel restrictions on reaching Wuhan and it is unclear how the Lunar New Year will impact on health concerns.

As medicines grow increasingly advanced, new viruses begin to crop up, making it essential for governments to be prepared for health crises. Whilst the responses of Asian governments have been largely improved since SARS, swift and decisive action must be undertaken to prevent further spread. The international community must collaborate through open and accurate reporting and screening to ensure the safety of citizens.