Every year at least one (often two or more) strain of influenza travels around the globe.

In the US alone, the typical annual death toll from influenza is between 10,000 and 30,000 but sometimes 50,000. On rare occasions there is a flu pandemic of a severe flu and in such cases the potential death toll could be in the millions.

Usually when people die from the flu it is because of the complication of pneumonia.

So in other words, this virus, whatever it is, so far appears to be similar to a nasty strain of influenza. But influenza does not scare people simply because they are used to it and most have had it, often several times. But if it were characterized as a "strange new virus" and it was a threat to sweep around the world, it would be greatly feared. Think about it.