Geneva, Jan 27 (IANS): WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced his plans to visit China to assess the situation over the novel coronavirus outbreak which has claimed 80 lives in the country so far.

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Ghebreyesus said during his visit, he will meet government officials and health experts which will help his team understand the latest developments in an effort to provide further protection against the outbreak, reports Xinhua news agency.

The WHO chief added that his agency was working 24/7 to support the Chinese people during this difficult time and to remain in close contact with affected countries.

The WHO is also updating all countries on the situation and providing specific guidance on what how to respond, he added.

The global agency has already activated global networks of experts, quickly developed advice for countries everywhere, and is working with them to activate their response systems.

The WHO is yet to declare the outbreak as a global epidemic.