The Wuhan virus sweeping China has now killed 9 people and infected 440

The death toll from the deadly respiratory virus sweeping China jumped to nine on Wednesday, with 440 cases confirmed.

The China Health Commission released updated figures on Wednesday morning local time for the coronavirus, the scientific name for the illness widely referred to as the Wuhan virus.

It came not long after the first case of the disease was confirmed in the US; a male Washington state resident in the 30s recently went to Wuhan to visit relatives.

The latest death toll indicates a further escalation of the disease. The death toll Tuesday was six with around 300 infections.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.