The Egyptian Embassy in China has urged Egyptian citizens living in or visiting the country to adhere to health protection measures issued by Chinese authorities to control a coronavirus outbreak.

The embassy called on Egyptian citizens in China to avoid presence in crowded places or direct contact with people affected by the virus.

For the safety of all Egyptian citizens residing in or visiting China, the embassy warned citizens against eating animal products, contact with animals, dead or alive, as well as avoiding animal markets and unprocessed meat products.

It also urged seeking medical attention and quarantine immediately if any symptoms of the virus appear, especially in children and the elderly.

For citizens residing in Wuhan city, where the outbreak began, the embassy advised "not leaving their houses except for exigencies, especially with the approach of the new Chinese lunar year and spring festivals that begin Friday.

The embassy called on citizens to follow up on news and developments through official statements issued by the Chinese government and the Egyptian Embassy in China. The Egyptian Embassy in China can be contacted at [email protected].

Meanwhile, Egypt's Cairo International Airport started screening passengers arriving from China for signs of the coronavirus outbreak, airport sources reported to Reuters Thursday.

Flight attendants have also been instructed to report any suspected coronavirus cases among travellers. Any such cases would be isolated and sent to hospital, sources added.

All airports in Egypt are on high alert and have received relevant instructions. But most flights from China arrive to Cairo International Airport, sources said.

Chinese authorities have enforced a partial lockdown of transportation in and out of the central city of Wuhan and nearby Huanggang, aiming to disrupting the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The special control measures come as the Chinese government revealed that seven of the 17 people who have died from coronavirus did not have pre-existing conditions before they contracted the illness.

Authorities in Huanggang, about 50 miles east of Wuhan, announced a series of similar measures, cutting off the city Thursday.