New York: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared as a global emergency on Thursday, the outbreak sparked by Corona virus in China that has spread to more than a dozen countries. The WHO announced health emergency after the number of cases spiked more than 10 fold in a week.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaking to the reporters on Thursday in Geneva, noted the worry some spread of the virus between people outside china. The main reason for this declaration is not because of what is happening in China, but because of what is happening in other countries, he said.

He also said that our greatest concern is a potential for this virus to spread to countries with weaker health systems which are ill prepared to deal with it. Mr. Tedros said that WHO was not recommending limiting travel or trade in China. He said these words in the wake of numerous airlines cancelling flights to China and business temporarily closing hundreds of shops.

The United States advised against all travel to China on Friday. The US state department’s level four don’t travel advisory, the highest grade of warning, told Americans in China to consider departing using commercial means.