China places virus-ravaged city under surveillance

Chinese authorities have urged its citizens to stop travelling into and out of Wuhan, the city at the centre of a new virus that has killed nine people.

Those living in the city were also told to avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings.

The new virus has spread from Wuhan to several Chinese provinces as well as the US, Thailand, and South Korea.

There are 440 confirmed cases, with the origin seafood market that conducted illegal transactions of wild animals.

Authorities also admitted that the country was now at the most critical stage of prevention and control.

China had earlier confirmed that human-to-human transmission of the virus had taken place.