WHO declares global coronavirus emergency, death toll 170

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The World Health Organization declared on Thursday that the coronavirus epidemic originating in China now constitutes a global emergency.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, SAYING:

"I'm declaring a public health emergency of international concern over the global outbreak of novel coronavirus."

The WHO director-general said the declaration comes amid mounting evidence of the virus spread to some 18 countries.

There have been nearly 8,000 reported cases of the virus and at least 170 deaths, the vast majority in and around the city of Wuhan in central China.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, SAYING:

"So far we have not seen any deaths outside China."

China implemented unprecedented procedures to halt the spread.

Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, where 60 million people are living under virtual lockdown.

Major Chinese cities were largely deserted, with tourist attractions shut and Starbucks coffee shops - those still open - requiring temperature checks and masks.

The WHO was quick to praise China's response, saying the international emergency declaration was out of concern that other nations may not have the resources to act as decisively.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO DIRECTOR GENERAL TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, SAYING:

"We don't know what sort of damage this virus could do if it were to spread in a country with a weaker health system."

Airlines have suspended flights to China in the wake of the outbreak.

And thousands of people were prevented from leaving a cruise ship in Italy on Thursday as health officials tested a passenger from Macau for the virus.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control on Thursday said it had identified for the first time in the U.S. an incident of person-to-person transmission.

The confirmed case brings the total number of U.S. patients infected with the virus to six.

Health officials said the infected man is the husband of an Illinois woman who had previously traveled to China and was confirmed as having the virus.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said it is currently tracking 21 people who had contact with the couple.