How is the international media reacting to the coronavirus?

The international media are reacting to the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus - while health experts say it is “too early” to declare an international public health emergency.

Coronaviruses are a group of virus that cause respiratory infections – diseases ranging from the common cold to SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome).

More than 440 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in China's Hubei province, of which Wuhan is the capital, and officials said at least 17 people have died there.

The Virus has also spread to the United States, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan with the UK Government also increasing measures to deal with the threat of the coronavirus.

On Thursday, for people from Scotland were being tested for suspected coronavirus after travelling to the country from Wuhan, China, according to the head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh.

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Here is a round-up of what international newspapers are saying about the virus:

Washington Post

The Washington Post’s front page concentrated on Chinese authorities locking down the city of Wuhan, where the virus is said to have begun.

Le Monde

French newspaper Le Monde ran with the headline “millions of quarantined residents in china”.

The New York Times

The New York Times also led on the lock down of Wuhan, writing: “The announcement, shared on Chinese state media just hours before it was to take effect, was a significant escalation from just the day before.”

El Mundo

El Mundo concentrated on the “real risk” of the virus reaching Spain, saying: “It cannot be ruled out that China's coronavirus becomes a pandemic or that there are cases in Spain. Experts believe the new outbreak is less virulent than the 2002 SARS.”

The People's Daily

The People’s Daily newspaper in China reported how Hong Kong confirmed its first case of the illness.