Italy scrambles to check spread of new virus

Italy scrambled on Sunday to reduce the spread of the new viral disease amid rapidly rising numbers of infections in the country and a third death.

The Venice Carnival attended by thousands of revelers was cancelled, major league football matches in the stricken area were also cancelled and theaters, including Milan's legendary La Scala, were shuttered.

Road blocks were set up in at least 10 towns in Lombardy, the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy, including in Casalpusterlengo.

Even trains transiting the area weren't allowed to stop.

An elderly woman, who was already suffering from cancer when she contracted the virus died on Sunday, raised the nation's death toll to three, said Lombardy regional official Giulio Gallera.

Gallera told reporters in Milan, efforts made in the next 7-14 days were key to limiting the spread of the virus.

Sporting events were cancelled, from children's team practices to Serie A football matches which were to be played in northern stadiums.

Those measures were ordered Saturday night by the Italian government.