Australia will begin screening passengers flying in from the Chinese city of Wuhan, as health officials try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Authorities said passengers arriving on the three weekly flights to Sydney from Wuhan will be given an information pamphlet and asked to present themselves if they showed any symptoms.
So far, Chinese authorities have confirmed more than 250 cases in Wuhan with four cases reported in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
"You cannot absolutely prevent the spread of disease into the country. The incubation period is probably a week," Brendan Murphy, the chief medical officer for the Australian government, told reporters.
"It's about identifying those with a high risk and making sure those who have a high risk know about it and know how to get medical attention."
The virus - which can pass from person-to-person - has claimed four lives until now.
Global airlines race to fix A320 jets after Airbus recall
Death toll in Sri Lanka rises to 153 after Cyclone Ditwah
Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze that killed 128 and counting
Vast Russian overnight attack on Ukraine kills two, wounds dozens
Indonesia flood death toll climbs to 303 amid cyclone devastation
