Image Source: TRIBUNE

Deaths from China’s new flu-like virus today rose to nine with 473 confirmed cases, heightening global fears of contagion from an infection suspected to have come from animals.

The previously unknown and contagious coronavirus strain emerged from the central city of Wuhan, with cases now detected as far away as the United States. Thailand has confirmed four cases, while the United States, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan have each reported one. Officials believe the origin to be a market where wildlife is traded illegally. There is no vaccine for the virus.