In Canada, one person has been confirmed today has having the deadly virus.

Health officials will be in place before fights from mainland China are scheduled to arrive.

“I want to assure the public that New Zealand is well prepared for these sorts of situations – we are active and alert, but not alarmed,” David Clark said.

“The Ministry of Health has been actively responding to the novel coronavirus since 6 January, when it first sent out advice to GPs and DHBs. Chinese language health advice cards have also been being provided at the border.

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“Despite not having had any cases in New Zealand, the Ministry has an Incident Control Team in place and we are sharing information and working closely with international partners. The government’s Interagency Pandemic Group has also been convened as a precaution, to ensure New Zealand is prepared," Mr Clark said.

The Death toll from the virus outbreak in China has now risen to 56 with a total of 1,975 cases reported.

Australia and Malaysia reported their first cases yesterday and Japan, its third.

France confirmed three cases on Friday, the first in Europe, and the US identified its second, a woman in Chicago who had returned from China.

In Canada, one person has been confirmed today has having the deadly virus.