China locks down Wuhan amid virus outbreak threat

The Chinese city at the centre of the new coronavirus outbreak has been put under lockdown.

All outbound transport from Wuhan, which has recorded the death of 17 people and nearly 600 confirmed cases, has been suspended.

Large public events have also been cancelled, with residents told not to leave the city.

Cases of the new virus have been detected in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United States, as health officials work to prevent a global emergency.  

According to reports, the coronavirus strain is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife in Wuhan's animal market.