Research findings: The infection can come from snakes

So far, the virus, which the World Health Organization WHO has so far called 2019-nCoV, has caused the death of 17 people and made over 500 people sick with symptoms similar to pneumonia.

Now, a group of Chinese scientists conclude that it is through contact with snakes, most likely Chinese cobra and Chinese krait, that the virus has been able to take the leap to man, writes the South China Morning Post.

According to Science Daily, DNA analysis shows that the virus consists of an intersection of a corona virus that usually exists in bats and another virus of unknown origin. If the researchers are right - their findings are questioned - this is the first time that reptiles have been involved when coronavirus mutates and spreads further.

The 2019 nCoV infection is spread mainly in China but cases have also been noted in other Asian countries as well as in the US. Tracking shows that the majority of infected people have been in contact with animals for sale at a market in Wuhan City.

Markets where both live and dead animals of all kinds are sold are part of everyday life in many cities in Asia. But mixing wild animals such as snakes, sibet cats, rats and bats can pose health risks. Especially since many are slaughtered on site and the meat has not always undergone proper checks.

A large part of all new infectious diseases originally come from animals, according to Christian Walzer of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

"Wildlife markets provide a unique opportunity for viruses to infect their wild hosts," he told AFP.