Mystery pneumonia in China may be caused by new type of coronavirus

A health surveillance officer monitors passengers arriving at the Hong Kong International airport in Hong Kong. A preliminary investigation into viral pneumonia illnesses sickening dozens of people in and around China has identified the possible cause as a new type of coronavirus, state media said. - AP

BEIJING: A mysterious form of pneumonia that has spread in China's central metropolis of Wuhan may be caused by a new type of coronavirus, state media has reported.

The emergence of the virus is raising concerns as hundreds of millions of people are getting ready to travel during the Chinese New Year holiday, later this month.