No Indian nationals affected by coronavirus in China so far: MEA

According to reports, more than 250 Indian students are currently stuck in Wuhan city in Hubei province which is being considered as a place of outbreak of the virus.

"Our @EOIBeijing is in close touch with Indian citizens including students to extend assistance, including on possible travel options out of Hubei ," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

" We are also closely coordinating with Chinese authorities. As of now, we understand that no Indian citizens have been affected by the outbreak & that food & water supplies are available to them," he said.

"Our Embassy & Consulates General in China will continue to work with Chinese authorities to try & facilitate Indian citizens caught up in these difficult circumstances," he said.

The Indian Embassy in Beijing has set up three hotlines for Indians in China to respond to concerns of those affected by the situation.

The virus outbreak leftover 50 people in China.

What are coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are described by WHO as “a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases”.

Probably the best known is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, commonly known as SARS, which broke out in Asia in 2003, and spread to countries in North America, South America and Europe, killing nearly 650 people in China before being successfully contained later that year.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Coronaviruses are transmitted between animals and people, and there are several known coronaviruses currently circulating in animals, that have not yet infected humans.