China coronavirus: Number of cases jumps as virus spreads to new cities

Chinese authorities have reported 139 new cases of a mysterious virus in two days, marking the first time that the infection has been confirmed in the country outside of Wuhan city.

The new cases were identified in the cities of Wuhan, Beijing and Shenzhen.

South Korea also reported its first confirmed case of the virus on Monday, following Thailand and Japan.

The total number of confirmed cases now exceeds 200, and three have died from the respiratory illness.

Health officials have identified the infection, which first appeared in Wuhan in December, as being a strain of coronavirus. They say it has led to an outbreak of viral pneumonia, but much about it remains unknown.

Experts in the UK told the BBC the number of people infected could still be far greater than official figures suggest, with estimates closer to 1,700.

China has promised to step up monitoring efforts during this week's Lunar New Year celebrations, when millions of people will travel to be with their families.