Wuhan, a Chinese city of nearly nine million people, is to temporarily shut public transport as it tries to halt the outbreak of a new virus.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

Those living in the city have been advised not to leave, in a week when millions of Chinese are travelling for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

The airport and train stations will be closed to outgoing passengers.

Bus, subway, ferry, and long-distance transport networks will shut down from 1000 local time on 23 January.

Those living in Wuhan had already been told to avoid crowds and minimise public gatherings.

Meanwhile, after a day of discussion the World Health Organization's emergency committee has not yet decided whether to declare a "global emergency" over the virus. Discussions will continue on Thursday.

The outbreak has killed 17 people, and there are more than 500 confirmed cases.

The virus originated in a seafood market that "conducted illegal transactions of wild animals", authorities said.