"I do want to stress there is no reason for alarm in the general community. We have had flu pandemic and other situations in the past,including SARs,our system is geared up well to respond to these situations."

The Melbourne patient has pneumonia and is in a stable condition,she said. Hospital staff treating him are wearing masks,gloves,and gowns while treating the man in an isolated room in the Monash Medical Centre.

Ms Mikakos stressed the man had spent his time since arrival with relatives at their home. He did not visit any public places,authorities said.

Dr Bone said anyone travelling to and from China should already be on high alert for the virus,adding that the man had shown no symptoms on the flight.

She said while authorities are not certain how infectious the virus was"it was quite possible"those who had contracted the coronavirus only become infectious once their symptoms appear.

Victorians and visitors returning from Wuhan City or other locations cases have been detected and being urged to closely monitor their health.

Professor Murphy said the Victorian government had acted swiftly and appropriately.

“Victoria has followed its strict protocols,including isolating the affected person,"he said."I understand the patient has pneumonia and is in a stable condition.”

France has confirmed three cases of coronavirus marking the first confirmed diagnoses in Europe,while two cases have been confirmed in the United States.

Australian authorities are encouraging anyone who recently visited China and suspects they have the virus to ring ahead before presenting to their GP or emergency departments. They also urged them to make their travel history clear to medical staff.