Young girl shows virus symptons on Christmas Island

A child suspected of being infected with a deadly new virus is being held in one of Australia's quarantine centres on Christmas Island, following the arrival of two flights of returnees from China.

A young girl "developed symptoms that could be coronavirus", according to Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly.

The Australian citizen is being tested for the new virus which was first diagnosed in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Kelly also confirmed that two flights had arrived with returnees from Wuhan, carrying a total of 278 passengers.

One was operated by an Australian company, while the other was an Air New Zealand flight.

All passengers "remain in isolation, in quarantine indeed, in Christmas Island", said Professor Kelly.

There are, however, Australians still trapped in Wuhan, after after Chinese authorities refused to allow a Qantas plane to land on Friday night.

The Australian citizens prepared to leave on a third evacuation flight on Saturday.

New evacuees will be housed in a mining village on the outskirts of Darwin in the northern territory.