President Xi Jinping recently highlighted the increasing severity of the current outbreak of coronavirus.  As of 26 Jan 2020 there has been a total of 2,744 cases with 80 deaths confirmed by China's National Health Commission.  China, and all countries' major ports of entry are seemingly reacting in an attempt to prevent the spread. 

Now, I don't doubt the Chinese people or international airport workers' intentions.  However, with the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration is now upon us and it's duration is like 15 days .... 15 days of celebrations, festivals, family reunions - a perfect storm for a highly contagious virus.  Lets look at the timeline, some actions taken and see where this can possibly be heading.  

• 31 December, the World Heath Organization (WHO) was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City.
• 07 January, China announced a new strain of virus.
• 13 January, Cases begin to be reported outside of mainland China.
• 17 January the US Center's for Disease Control (CDC) begins screening international passengers at ports of entry.
• 21 January WHO begins publishing situation reports.
• 24-25 January President Xi demands strong coordinated efforts, suspending international tourist travel from the county. (this likely isn't the 1st reaction of the Chinese government but the 1st that has got my attention).

We have a highly contagious virus in multiple countries, seemingly gaining ground rapidly in China.   Looking at the initial outbreak conditions, China's Belt and Road Initiative and the future will be interesting to see.  Unintended consequences of the Belt and Road Initiative could spread the virus through Africa, the Middle East and other places where China's new lines of communication have been formed. 

While most of Europe and North America maybe able contain the outbreak; East Asia, Africa and South America, I fear, may suffer the most given their generally lower economic capability and resources to cope with disease.