Japan to step up border control amid virus outbreak

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday said border control measures will be stepped up in efforts to contain the spread a new virus outbreak. Speaking at a meeting with ministers to discuss responses to the newly-identified coronavirus, Abe said a further 210 Japanese people will be flown out from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the outbreak.

The new measures come after two evacuees who tested positive for the virus did not show any symptoms and could have spread the disease further.

Japan has confirmed 11 cases, including two suspected human-to-human transmissions in people who had not visited China.