The World Health Organization (WHO) will reconvene its emergency committee on Thursday to decide whether or not the deadly coronavirus outbreak should be declared an international public health emergency, as the number of cases has increased. Some experts have criticized the WHO for not having already declared the situation a global health emergency. 

The WHO said it has decided to meet because of the rise in the number of cases of the virus and because of the evidence of human-to-human transmission that has occurred outside China - something that the organisation says is "deeply concerning."

"Although the numbers outside China are still relatively small, they hold the potential for a much larger outbreak," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO's director general. The WHO had said that there was an emergency situation in China, but it had so far decided against declaring it an international health emergency. 

^{Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO's Heath Emergencies Program, said the swift response meant "we still have an opportunity to stop this virus."}

The organization on Wednesday also praised China's response to the outbreak, including its transparency. "China's efforts to contain the outbreak at the epicentre have been essential for preventing the further spread of the virus," said Dr Tedros.

"China identified the pathogen in record time and shared it immediately, which led to the rapid development of diagnostic tools. They have completed committed to transparency, both internally and externally, and they have agreed to work with other countries that need their support."

The director general of WHO visited China this week. As a result of that, it has been agreed that the WHO will send international experts to visit China as soon as possible to work with Chinese counterparts on understanding the outbreak and help guide global response efforts.

The WHO is also continuing to advise countries on preparations as the virus spreads, including how to detect the virus, treat cases, and prevent its transmission.

"The emergence of any new pathogen with the potential to cause severe illness and death is of grave concern and must be taken with the utmost seriousness," said Dr Tedros. 

"That is exactly what we are doing. Now more than ever is the time for being guided by the science and making rational, evidence-based decisions."

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