Australians planning on heading to Japan have been advised to 'exercise a high degree of caution' because of the coronavirus.
The Australian Government has raised the travel warning the level two as the Asian country registers nearly 150 cases of COVID-19.
The Smart Traveller website now says: "At level 2, there are more or higher risks than what you would typically find in a large Australian city.
"We're not saying 'don't go' to this location. But you should do your research and take extra precautions."
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People planning to travel to Japan should remain vigilant with personal sanitisation and seek medical help if they start experiencing any symptoms.
Japan has also been dealing with the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined after several passengers reported Coronavirus-like symptoms. Hundreds of people were stranded inside the ship as medical professionals tried to work out who had been infected.
The upgraded advice for Australians has come from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, who said Japan is fast becoming a hotbed for the virus to spread.
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He said: "This significant increase in reported cases in South Korea, the continuing number of cases in Japan and more recently, the small outbreak in northern Italy and the increasing cases and particularly deaths in Iran.
"All of these developments and other countries are cause for concern and all of those countries are making very extensive efforts to try and contain the outbreaks."
South Korea has raised its threat level to the highest possible as it tries to tackle the threat and spread of the virus.
President Moon Jae-in told reporters they are in a race against time.
He added: "The coming few days will be a critical time for us .The central government, local governments, health officials and medical personnel and the entire people must wage an all-out, concerted response to the problem."
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The World Health Organisation has recently warned African nations that they could soon begin experiencing outbreaks of the virus.
Thirteen countries have been specifically singled out because of their travel links with China and have been told to be on the lookout for anyone who could be experiencing symptoms.
Further north, European countries have been put on alert as Italy tries to tackle the outbreak there. With free movement between most neighbouring countries, it will be harder for authorities to ensure people don't infect others.
More than 50,000 people from 10 towns were placed in lockdown after a sizeable number of coronavirus patients were located.
Featured Image Credit: Giuseppe Milo/Flickr