Here are the highlights: As deaths approach 500, no sign of a slowdown. A second evacuation of Americans from China has begun. Britain and France urged their citizens to leave China. Hyundai suspended production at South Korea car factories. The oil industry is already in the doldrums.

The novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV continues to spread throughout China and other countries, seriously impacting business operations around the world. As governments and companies act to protect their citizens, operations and employees at home and abroad, these actions threaten to produce business interruptions, travel risks and other effects that could be detrimental to business continuity.

Outbreaks of novel virus infections among people are always of public health concern. The risk from these outbreaks depends on characteristics of the virus, including whether and how well it spreads between people, the severity of resulting illness, and the medical or other measures available to control the impact of the virus (for example, vaccine or treatment medications).

The Wuhan coronavirus has sickened more than 14,500 people in Asia, according to statements from health officials. Many other cases are suspected but not confirmed. As of Sunday afternoon, at least 305 people have died, all but one in China.

Australia will deny entry to all travellers from mainland China unless they’re Australian citizens, amid growing fear surrounding the deadly coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced. While citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family, legal guardians and spouses will be excepted from the strict measures, Mr Morrison said anyone arriving from China will be required to self-isolate, as part of the stricter border approach.

An informative article that provides a recent history of the development of the virus

The Committee’s role is to give advice to the Director-General, who makes the final decision on the determination of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Committee also provides public health advice or suggests formal Temporary Recommendations as appropriate.

Very informative video from WHO epidemiologist explaining the currently (30 January 2020) known facts of the epidemic.

WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices.

Our Federal and State Governments have published information and advice about the coronavirus.

Within organizations, the Leadership Team supported by their Business Continuity Manager and other resilience professionals, can use a range of proactive strategies to support an effective pandemic response and limit the impact of an outbreak.

The travel industry may experience an outsize impact and disruption from efforts to contain the spread of the virus. Here’s a breakdown of coronavirus’ impact so far on key travel sectors: tourism, aviation, hotels, and business travel.

This is a rapidly evolving situation. International SOS is monitoring closely and updating our 2019-Novel Coronavirus website as more information becomes available.