China confirms human-to-human transmission of mysterious virus

A fourth person in china has died from a new virus that has spread rapidly across the country

Authorities have confirmed that the mysterious virus can be passed from person-to-person.

An 89-year-old man was the latest victim of the new strain of coronavirus, which causes a type of pneumonia.

He lived in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak.

More than 200 cases have now been reported across major cities in china including Beijing and Shanghai.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering declaring an international public health emergency over the virus – as it did with swine flu and ebola.

The decision will be made in a meeting on Wednesday.