A mystery outbreak causing patients to cough up blood and suffer

A mystery outbreak causing patients to cough up blood and suffer from a prolonged high fever has been reported in Russia, sparking fears of a new pandemic.

However, Russian authorities have denied claims of an unidentified virus and have not disclosed the number of infections or hospitalisations.

Rumours of severe respiratory symptoms began on Telegram and were later reported by local media.

Officials now say the cases are just common respiratory infections with no evidence of a new virus