China government extended travel restrictions to 48 million people in Hubei province, banned inter-province transportation to Beijing and cancelled tour group travel abroad as the Lunar New Year, China's biggest holiday, began without much of the usual festivity.

Until now, the illness has infected nearly 2000 people and killed 54, according to the reports.

The cases of the outbreak have been confirmed in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, USA, Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Australia, Canada and France.

ILKHA