this normally crowded market in the central Chinese city

of Wuhan sits eerily desolate.

This is ground zero for the illness sparking global unease.

So this is where authorities believe the source

of the coronavirus is.

It's the wildlife and seafood market.

And you can perhaps actually over there it's cordoned off.

You've got police at all the corners.

It is so sensitive that within minutes

of us arriving and recording, security

asked us to stop filming.

There is an uneasiness felt throughout Wuhan.

We experienced that as soon as we

boarded the train from Beijing.

Each car nearly full.

Most faces covered.

Just about everyone traveling home for the Lunar New Year.

Strict screening upon arrival.

One by one, passenger step through a thermometer

check to make sure they are not bringing a fever with them.

Scenes like this playing out in transportation

hubs across China.

LI BIN: [speaking chinese]

INTERPRETER: The virus was being spread mainly

through respiratory transmission and is

likely to mutate, which will increase the risk

of epidemics spreading.

In addition, the spring-festival travel rush

saw a mass migration of people, and that has objectively

increased the risk of epidemics spreading

and the difficulties in taking effective preventative

and control measures.

We should always be on high alert

and never take this lightly.

DAVID CULVER: Behind me, this is one of a few hospitals here

in the region that's dedicated to treating some of those who

are either confirmed cases or suspected

cases of the coronavirus.

Out front you've got a few staff members who we

notice are all wearing masks.

Some of them are even wearing protective gloves just

to prevent any potential exposure.

It's brought the normally festive holiday mood in Wuhan

to a halt, and it's cut down this vendor's business.

XIAO CHUAN'AN: [speaking chinese]

INTERPRETER: This year, the pneumonia situation

is getting serious, so there are not so many people

coming here to buy goods.

DAVID CULVER: She's from a city that's about

two hours' drive from Wuhan.

She's got her mask nearby, and she admits she's worried,

and so too is her daughter and other relatives.

XIAO CHUAN'AN: [speaking chinese]

INTERPRETER: They were asking me to go back home,

but I can't leave with all my inventory here.

I've already bought these goods.

I have no choice, and I have to stay here

and resign myself to my fate.

DAVID CULVER: Other vendors more hopeful.

This woman telling me she does not

feel the need to wear a mask.

YAN WEIXI: [speaking chinese]

INTERPRETER: Maybe I am having a positive outlook.

I have been checking online instructions on Baidu,

like drinking more water or washing

your hands more frequently.

I think that should be fine.

DAVID CULVER: The unknowns looming over a city

with a rising death toll.

Unclear what's next for Wuhan and the 11 million

people who call it home.

David Culver, CNN, Wuhan, China.