The World Health Organization has warned against "blanket measures" over the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, pointing out the epidemic outside of China was only affecting a "tiny" proportion of the population.

WHO also said that - with a mortality rate of around two percent, COVID-19 was "less deadly" than other Coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

WHO officials rejected the suggestion that all cruises should be halted to avoid risking a new nest of infection like the one on the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess off Japan.

