EU calls emergency talks on new coronavirus

European Union will host an extraordinary meeting of health ministers on Thursday, along with a WHO envoy, to discuss vel coronavirus outbreak.

So far, only around 30 cases of new strain have been detected in Europe, but World Health Organisation warns that cases outside China could accelerate.

"w is time to join forces to stop this epidemic," said European Commissioner for Crisis Manment Janez Lenarcic.

EU ministers discuss ways to prevent virus' spre and "opt conclusions in relation to EU response to vel coronavirus outbreak".

Last week, German health minister Jens Spahn suggested at a meeting with his French counterpart Agnes Buzyn that Europe impose restrictions on travellers from China.

United States has alrey banned arrival of foreign nationals who have visited China recently.

But for any such measure to be imposed in Europe 27 EU members would have to coordinate decision, since most of m are in Schengen passport-free travel area.

virus, which first emerged at end of last year, has killed more than 900 people. Some 40,000 people have been infected in China and 350 elsewhere.