In Europe, fears about the rapid spread of COVID-19 are focused on Italy, where 12 people are now confirmed dead and a case has just been reported as far south as the island of Sicily.

Whole towns in the north of the country are in lockdown and Austria has closed its Italian border as a precaution.  

Here, CGTN is joined by Ilaria Capua, professor and virologist at the University of Florida, who shares her views on why the coronavirus appears to be spreading so fast across this particular part of Europe.