PARIS (AFP) - A new coronavirus, a mysterious Sars-like disease, has spread around China and three other Asian countries since first emerging in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

Here's a timeline of how the virus developed:

DEC 31, 2019: ALARM RAISED

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is alerted on Dec 31, 2019, by the Chinese authorities of a string of pneumonia-like cases in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people.

Patients are quarantined and work begins on identifying the origin of the pneumonia.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies a seafood market suspected to be at the centre of the outbreak. It is closed on Jan 1, 2020.

JAN 9, 2020: NEW CORONAVIRUS

On Jan 9, the WHO says that the outbreak in Wuhan was caused by a previously unknown type of coronavirus, which is a broad family ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like Sars.

To date 59 people have been infected of whom seven are in a serious condition, according to an official toll.

JAN 11: FIRST DEATH

The Chinese health authorities say a first person has died of the virus on Jan 11. They revise downwards the number of sick people to 41.