Stay away from Wuhan, public told

BEIJING: The Chinese city at the center of a severe acute respiratory syndrome-like virus outbreak has urged people to stay away, canceling a major Lunar New Year event, as it strives to contain a disease that has spread across the country.

The death toll from the virus, which first emerged in the central city of Wuhan, has reached nine, while more than 400 people have now been infected in 13 provinces and municipalities.