China has urged its own citizens to delay trips abroad, with at least 15 countries have confirmed cases of the disease. Meanwhile Kazakhstan, an important China trade partner, announced it would halt cross-border passenger train traffic, suspend regular flights between the neighbours, and stop issuing visas to Chinese citizens over the coming days. Other countries were planning more stringent quarantine measures, with Australia planning to house any citizens evacuated on an island normally used to detain asylum seekers. Highest priorityThe number of confirmed cases across China climbed to 5,974, while the death toll nationwide jumped to 132. The World Health Organization said Tuesday it would urgently dispatch international experts to China “to guide global response efforts”.

Source: The Guardian January 29, 2020 12:33 UTC