The man arrived unwell in Australia from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the SARS-like virus first took hold in December.

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Doctors set about diagnosing the man on Tuesday after he showed signs of respiratory illness.

People wear masks in Beijing, China.. Credit: Koki Kataoka / AP

“Laboratory tests show a man who fell ill upon returning from Wuhan in central China does not have the novel coronavirus,” Queensland Health said in a statement on Wednesday.

The man flew into Brisbane earlier in January after visiting family in Wuhan.

A number of Australians have been tested for the disease which has led to nine deaths to date from more than 440 cases in China.

Cases of the virus have also been confirmed in Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned Australians to be alert but not alarmed about coronavirus.

Chevron Right Icon ‘Laboratory tests show a man who fell ill upon returning from Wuhan in central China does not have the novel coronavirus’.

Biosecurity measures have been ramped up for flights into the country from China and the three flights Australia receives from Wuhan each week would be closely monitored, says Mr Morrison.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised the level of its travel advisory for Wuhan to recommending travellers exercise a high degree of caution while in the city.

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“I’m advised by the Chief Medical Officer the risk of transmission in Australia remains low, however the situation is evolving,” Mr Morrison said on Twitter.

He said a national response centre is online and coordinating a response with federal, states and territory health experts.

- With AAP