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Coronavirus

WHO officially names new coronavirus 'COVID-19'

Agency chief says outbreak should be viewed as 'Public Enemy Number 1'

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaks at a news conference in Geneva on Feb. 11.   © Reuters

GENEVA (Reuters) -- China's coronavirus outbreak poses a "very grave threat for the rest of the world" and should be viewed as "Public Enemy Number 1", the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to step up measures to detect and contain the virus, especially in at least 30 countries with weaker health systems, where it could "create havoc".

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