Leading Chinese doctor investigating virus outbreak says he was infected

A leading Chinese physician who was investigating the outbreak of a deadly new virus in central China says he has himself been infected.

READ: Nine dead, 440 infected as China confirms Wuhan virus can be spread by humans

Wang Guangfa, who heads the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Beijing's Peking University First Hospital, was part of a team of experts that earlier this month visited Wuhan, where the coronavirus emerged.


Chinese state television reported Wednesday morning that Wang had been in treatment in isolation since Tuesday, suspected of being infected by the new coronavirus.

Wang Guangfa has been infected with the new virus in China after being part of a team of doctors investigating it in Wuhan, where the virus emerged

"I was diagnosed and my condition is fine," Wang told Hong Kong's Cable TV on Tuesday, thanking people for their concern.


The death toll from the flu-like coronavirus strain, which officials have confirmed can be transmitted between humans, had climbed to six as of Tuesday, with the number of reported cases rising above 300. Fifteen medical personnel are among those infected.

The outbreak is believed to have started late last month among people connected to a seafood market in Wuhan, where all six fatalities have happened

Wang, who conducted research on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, said he was receiving treatment and would receive an injection soon. He did not give details on how he may have been infected.

READ: China confirms new coronavirus can spread between human-to-human transmission


"I don't want everyone to put too much attention on my condition," he told the channel.

China reported on January 20 the mysterious virus had spread across the country from Wuhan. Pictured, medical staff at Jinyintan hospital, Wuhan

Wang told state media on Jan. 10 that the outbreak appeared to be under control, with most patients showing mild symptoms and some having been discharged.

He could not be reached by Reuters on Tuesday.

JUST IN: DOH monitoring at least 12 people who had contact with Wuhan Coronavirus-positive boy in Cebu City

Found this article interesting? Share it with your friends! 👍🏼

Share

This article first appeared on

Enjoyed the article? We are a team of volunteers who want to provide relevant and factual information. We appreciate any amount of donation to keep the inspiring stories from our team coming! 🙏