'This is not a drill': WHO urges world to take virus more seriously

Global markets tumbled again over concerns about the impact coronavirus could have on the economy. [AFP / Johannes EISELE]

World health officials have warned that countries are not taking the coronavirus crisis seriously enough, as outbreaks surged across Europe and in the United States where medical workers sounded warnings over a "disturbing" lack of hospital preparedness.

Global markets tumbled again over concerns about the impact on the economy and as countries took more drastic steps to prevent contagion of a disease that has killed more than 3,300 people and infected nearly 100,000 in about 85 nations.