Coronavorus: Kenya ban flights to Italy

The Kenyan government has announced the indefinite suspension of flights to two northern Italian cities over fears of the deadly coronavirus.

Following recent reports, Italy has confirmed over 2,502 cases and a total of 79 people have died - most of them elderly people, as a result of infections from the virus.

Italy is one of the worst-affected countries in Europe followed closely by France and Germany.

Tunisia and Nigeria are dealing with confirmed cases from patients who had travelled from Italy, raising Africas confirmed cases to 12 after Senegal confirmed a second case today.

Kenyan Health Minister, Mutahi Kagwe, said on Tuesday that the decision was reached following consultations with the Italian embassy.

"The National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus has concluded that flights from North of Italy, specifically Verona and Milan be suspended effective 3rd March 2020. This is part of Italy that is currently experiencing coronavirus incidents which could affect the safety of Kenyans," Mr Kagwe said.

But the World Health Organization says that issuing travel advisories to countries with confirmed coronavirus cases will not help reduce the probability of an outbreak.

According to reports from the BBC, Kenya also suspended direct flights from China last week.