Viral pneumonia cases rise to 44 in central China

A total of 44 viral pneumonia cases have been reported in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, health authorities said Friday.

All the patients have been put in quarantine, with 11 in serious condition and the others in stable condition as of 8 a.m. Friday, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission said in a statement.

The tests on the exact pathogens and the search for the cause of the infections are underway. Common respiratory diseases such as influenza, bird flu and adenovirus infections have been ruled out, the statement said.

A preliminary investigation showed that there were no clear signs of human-to-human transmission and no infections among medical staff has been reported.

So far, a total of 121 people who had close contact with the patients have been located and put under medical observation.

Earlier, 27 patients who had symptoms including fever and difficult breathing were reported Tuesday and were found to be related to a local seafood market. Authorities are further investigating the market's hygiene conditions.