The number of coronavirus cases in Italy has jumped to 400, amid international efforts to contain the spread of the deadly outbreak.
The rise in Italy, the main focus of infection in Europe, represents a 25% surge in 24 hours.
Several European countries announced new cases traced to Italy.
Also on Wednesday, the World Health Organization said that for the first time coronavirus was spreading faster outside China, where it originated.
Globally, more than 80,000 people in 34 countries have been infected with the new coronavirus, which emerged in December. The vast majority remain in China.
Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, has killed more than 2,700 people so far.
What is the situation in Italy?
Late on Wednesday, authorities reported a total of 400 cases – a rise of 80 from Tuesday night.
The worst-affected areas are in the industrial north of the country – Lombardy, the region around Milan, and Veneto near Venice. The outbreak has killed 12 people in the country so far.
Government officials have sought to reassure the public, and insisted steps were being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
Schools, universities and cinemas have been closed and several public events banned.
Eleven towns at the epicentre of the outbreak – home to a total of 55,000 people – have been quarantined.
There are fears that the outbreak may tip Italy into recession. The BBC’s Mark Lowen in Milan says fear is the reason for the city’s empty cafes and many hotel cancellations.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told reporters after meeting the Italian health minister in Rome: “This is a situation of concern, but we must not give in to panic.
“There are still many unknowns about this virus and in particular its origin and how it spreads.”
What about the rest of Europe and beyond?
On Wednesday, Austria, Croatia, Greece, Norway and Switzerland reported their first coronavirus cases. They involved people who had been to Italy.
More cases were also announced in Spain, France and Germany.
Greece was among the countries to report its first coronavirus caseIreland postponed Six Nations rugby matches with Italy in Dublin that were to be held on 7 and 8 March.
In the French city of Nice, near the Italian border, a festival parade and fireworks display due at the weekend was cancelled.
Algeria and Brazil also reported their first cases. In both, those infected had travelled to Italy.
Pandemic not inevitable
The focus of the coronavirus outbreak is shifting – from China to the rest of the world, particularly Europe.
On the face of it, this seems like bad news. But there are positives too. China appears to be getting on top of the virus with the number of new cases each day reducing.
This suggests that efforts to contain the virus by telling people to stay at home, stopping large public gatherings and preventing travel are working.
The message from officials at the World Health Organization is that containment is still possible and a global pandemic is not inevitable.
This view has been echoed in the UK where the government has warned of the social and economic costs of overreacting in response to the outbreak.
Keeping the public safe is the priority – but so is acting in a balanced and responsible way.
