Dr Herman Goossens has been preparing for an outbreak like coronavirus for decades.

A professor of microbiology at the University of Antwerp, he has spent countless hours behind the microscope tediously studying the bacteria, viruses and parasites most of us go to great lengths to avoid.

These days, his time is consumed by coronavirus.

He's not studying it quite yet, but as the founder of the Platform for European Preparedness Against (Re-)emerging Epidemics, or PREPARE, he's working closely on fighting it.

PREPARE is an EU-funded project aimed at responding rapidly to outbreaks.

"We have a network of around 900 diagnostic labs in 42 countries in Europe," said Dr Goossens.

"We're currently contacting these hospitals and these labs and preparing them to start studies including on patients that have the novel coronavirus."

Germany confirmed its first case on Monday. France is treating three patients. But there's concern the virus could easily spread across Europe, as it did across China.

Beijing has taken drastic measures to contain the outbreak.

The city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated, is in lockdown, while travel in and out of Hubei Province is severely restricted.

Dr Goossens believes it's helping, but knows that strategy wouldn't work in Europe.

"I don't think it would be easy to put a lock on London or put a lock on Paris," he said.

"I think it will be crucial to prepare the diagnostic labs to rapidly detect the virus so you can identify those patients who are indeed infected."

As the virus spreads, Europe is preparing.

The EU Commission is coordinating with member states over how the bloc will respond to the outbreak, including how cases should be handled and reported.

The World Health Organization is also involved, dispensing preparedness packages across the region.

"There's been a lot of work done in terms of developing guidance which can be shared with countries so they're using the latest knowledge we have on this new virus," said Dr Richard Pebody, who leads the WHO High Threat Pathogens Team.

The guidance focuses on the best ways to detect new cases, test for the virus and stop its transmission.  

The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre is also on high alert.

It can provide logistical support for the transporting of medicines, vaccines or specialized equipment.

It can also help evacuate citizens from China, something nations like Germany, Belgium and France are already organizing.