THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
Health experts made the announcement last night following a meeting of the WHO emergency committee in Geneva.
Shortly afterwards, the four chief medical officers of the UK said they had increased the risk level of coronavirus from low to moderate, but added that they "do not think the risk to individuals in the UK has changed".
About 150 UK citizens were brought back from China on a flight leaving Wuhan city at 7am local time on Friday - 11pm Thursday UK time.
The Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said his government was hoping to secure seats on a French evacuation flight for a small number of Irish citizens living in China who are concerned about the coronavirus.
"We have spoken to our French colleagues and we are hopeful and confident that we can secure a seat on planes that would take Irish citizens who want to leave out," he said.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last night it was declaring an emergency "not because of what is happening in China, but because of what is happening in other countries".
"Our greatest concern is the potential for the virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems, and which are ill-prepared to deal with it," he said.
The new virus has now infected more people in China than fell ill during the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak. The number of cases has jumped to 7,736, surpassing the 5,327 people diagnosed with Sars.
In a letter following WHO's announcement, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland said it is "likely" there will be individual coronavirus cases in the UK, but that they are "confident in the ability of the NHS and HSC in Northern Ireland to manage these in a way that protects the public and provides high quality care".
