WHO: more cases of coronavirus expected

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the spread of a new coronavirus, an official said on Tuesday. Tarik Jašarević said Wednesday's meeting would determine whether an international public health emergency is declared.

The WHO spokesperson made the comments on Tuesday at a news briefing in Geneva. He said more novel coronavirus cases should be expected in China during the travel rush for the Lunar New Year.

Six people have died and 291 have been infected in China, while four cases have been confirmed overseas among Chinese travellers in South Korea, Japan and Thailand. Earlier in the week, Chinese officials confirmed the new virus can be spread from human to human.