What happens if I catch the virus?
So far, most of the people outside China who have contracted coronavirus have had a mild form of the disease.
"It doesn't look like it is going to cause severe disease in large numbers, but it will in small numbers," Professor Mackay says.
While this coronavirus, formally known as COVID-19, is in the same family as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), it is proving less deadly.
The new virus has a
death rate below 2 per cent, while the SARS fatality rate was around 10 per cent.
That means
even though many people might be diagnosed with coronavirus, in many people it will be a moderate illness.
But, unlike influenza, there is no effective treatment or vaccine for coronavirus.
The elderly and people with existing health problems are at the highest risk.
"We may see death amongst the elderly, so we need to be thinking about their care," Professor Mackay says.
"We need to make sure they have their medications up to date, have food as well, and talk to the care facilities about what its plans are for something like this pandemic."
As well as following
good personal hygiene such as hand washing, experts say we should pay close attention to the advice of local and national public health authorities.
"They are doing a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure we will be as protected as possible."
Coronavirus: What happens when a COVID-19 pandemic is declared? - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)