Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) health alert

Current status

In Australia

All of the cases in Australia have come from Wuhan except one in NSW who had contact in China with a confirmed case in Wuhan.

For questions about testing or the welfare of people with the virus, contact your state or territory health authority.

Across the world

Across the world, there have been about 40,626 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and 910 reported deaths. The fatality rate is currently 2.24%.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Why is there an alert

The Australian Government has issued this health alert as a precaution, based on the latest and best medical advice.

What is coronavirus

Novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Symptoms can range from a mild illness like a cough to pneumonia. People may experience fever, flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath.

Find out more about novel coronavirus and how to protect yourself.

Separate fact from fiction by reading coronavirus myth busters on the World Health Organisation website.

Who is at risk

In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have:

• recently been in mainland China
• been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of coronavirus

If you are at risk

You need to isolate yourself if you are at risk of getting the virus:

• If you have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province.
• If you have been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving mainland China.
• If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after your last contact with that person.

You do not need to isolate yourself if you:

• left mainland China before 1 February 2020 and did not travel in Hubei Province
• have only travelled in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

Travellers and visitors

Do not travel to mainland China. This is the latest China travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

If you:

• hold a visa for Australia or have applied for a visa, read the coronavirus fact sheet for visa holders and applicants
• are planning to travel to or transit through Australia, read the current travel restrictions
• plan to travel overseas, check the latest travel advice
• are concerned about someone overseas, call the DFAT consular emergency line

If you are on board an international flight and show signs of an infectious disease:

• the airline must report you to biosecurity officers
• biosecurity officers will assess you before you get off the plane
• you may be isolated or referred to a hospital

Australians in Wuhan or Hubei Province

Some Australians (including dual nationals) are still in Wuhan or Hubei Province. If this is you and you want to leave, call the DFAT consular emergency line.

The Australian Government is working with the Chinese Government on another assisted departure, but do not rely on this. If possible, leave by commercial flight as soon as you can.

To support the quarantine process, North West Point Immigration Detention Centre (Christmas Island), Learmonth RAAF Base (Western Australia) and Howard Springs Accommodation Village (Darwin) have been determined as human health response zones.

Australians in other parts of China

You should follow the latest China travel advice and leave by commercial flight as soon as you can.

Australians on cruise ships

If you are concerned about someone on one of the following cruise ships, please call the DFAT consular emergency line.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship

Japanese authorities have quarantined the passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess in Yokohama port. 225 Australian passengers and 3 Australian crew are on board.

Japanese authorities are screening everyone on board for coronavirus. We understand that 135 passengers, including 11 Australians, have tested positive for coronavirus and have been taken to a Japanese hospital.

The World Dream cruise ship

The World Dream was previously placed in quarantine in Hong Kong with almost 1,800 passengers on board. All passengers tested negative for coronavirus and were allowed to disembark from 2030 AEDT on 9 February. 16 Australians were on board. 

The Westerdam cruise ship

Holland American Lines' Westerdam cruise ship is expected to disembark in Bangkok on Thursday 13 February. 

DFAT has confirmed there are 49 Australians on board.  Australian officials are engaging with Carnival Cruises to relay offers of consular assistance to affected Australians.

International students

We are delivering more Australian education services online and offshore for international students. To find out more and for support, go to coronavirus updates for international students on the Study in Australia website.

Health sector

View our resources for the health sector:

• PHLN guidance on laboratory testing for 2019-nCoV
• Coronavirus information for emergency departments
• Coronavirus information for primary and community health workers

Also view the 2019-nCoV National Guidelines for Public Health Units for interim recommendations on:

• surveillance
• infection control
• laboratory testing
• contact management

What we are doing

Australia is well prepared. We have plans that we are adapting as we learn more about the virus and how it spreads.

Australian Government agencies and state and territory governments are working together to coordinate an evidence-based response. This includes:

• providing information in English and Chinese based on the latest medical advice, including through Facebook, Twitter, Weibo, WeChat and Chinese newspapers
• applying a 14-day isolation period to people at risk of getting coronavirus
• applying travel restrictions to reduce the number of travellers from mainland China
• organising assisted departure for Australian citizens in Wuhan
• tracing coronavirus cases
• continuing to screen travellers who arrive in Australia
• continuing with border surveillance
• applying enhanced border measures at international air and sea ports, including announcements and signs

State and territory health authorities are:

• testing anyone who shows symptoms of the virus
• monitoring close contacts of confirmed cases every day

Find out more

Read our English and Chinese resources about coronavirus. We have fact sheets for the general public, health professionals, aged care workers, educational facilities, and the travel industry.

You can also visit our Facebook and Twitter pages or call us if you still have questions about coronavirus: