The Irish Government is giving €500,000 to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help fight the coronavirus.

The virus outbreak, centred in China, has killed over 490 people and infected more than 24,000.

It has spread to over 20 countries - with cases reported in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

There are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ireland.

The Government says Ireland has "advanced plans in place" as part of its preparedness to deal with public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus.

The Department of Health's National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is meeting weekly as part of an ongoing review.

While a new Coronavirus Expert Advisory Group - a subgroup of the NPHET - also met on Wednesday.

The group, chaired by Dr Cillian de Gascun, is a multidisciplinary group with experts from relevant specialities.

Speaking on the establishment of the group Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said: "The expert advisory group will monitor and review national and international research and developments in relation to coronavirus and provide expert advice to the National Public Health Emergency Team, the Health Service Executive and others, as appropriate.

Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

"It is important to note that the group is made up of experts from across the disciplines bringing their multifaceted expertise to bear on Ireland's ongoing preparedness."

Dr de Gascun added: "The Expert Advisory Group will play a key role in reviewing current advice and guidance on [coronavirus] preparedness and response, identify gaps, and provide clear, evidence-based expert advice on preparedness and response to the National Public Health Emergency Team."

On the WHO funding, Tánaiste Simon Coveney said: "The rapid spread of the coronavirus concerns us all.

"Ireland sends its deepest sympathies to those who have been affected and salutes the work of the dedicated health service professionals who are assisting those communities most impacted.

"While the virus is currently concentrated in China, the WHO assesses that it may spread further and is a particular concern in regions where health systems could quickly be overwhelmed. It is vital to take early, coordinated action to prevent further spread of the virus.

"Global health challenges require a coordinated global response.

"That is why Ireland is supporting the leadership role of the WHO through an allocation of €500,000 to its Strategic Response and Preparedness Plan.

"This will be used to support countries in preparing for and responding to the coronavirus."

Meanwhile, doctors fear pregnant women with the coronavirus may be able to pass it on to their unborn children - after a baby was diagnosed with the illness just 30 hours after its birth.

A mother with the virus gave birth to the child at the Wuhan Children Hospital in Hubei province on February 2nd, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The newborn was given a test 30 hours later and was confirmed to have coronavirus, doctors said.

Wuhan city is the epicentre of the outbreak.

Additional reporting: IRN