"There are very large numbers of Chinese tourists across Europe right now," he said.

"Unless the Chinese manage to control this, and I'm sceptical about whether that is possible, we will get cases here [in the UK]."

Most of 2000 confirmed cases have been in Wuhan, the Chinese city at the epicentre of the epidemic. However it's feared Chinese officials are downplaying the true number.

In an unconfirmed video circulating the internet, a person claiming to be a nurse based in Wuhan says nearly 90,000 people in the country have the disease.

"I'm in the area where the coronavirus started. I'm here to tell the truth. At this moment, Hubei province, including Wuhan area, even China, 90,000 people have been infected by coronavirus," she says, wearing a protective suit and face mask.

"We don't care what the government says. I will tell you through social media. Everyone, please donate masks, glasses and clothes to Wuhan.

"Please help us. Please donate disposable goggles, disposable masks and disposable clothing. Currently our resources are not enough."