Asian markets fall as WHO mulls declaring global virus emergency

Asian markets fell Thursday with tech stocks and airlines among key losers as the World Health Organization (WHO) called an urgent meeting on whether to declare a global health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak in China.

The WHO has warned all governments to be "on alert" as China has confirmed 7,700 coronavirus cases. At least 15 other countries reported similar infections.

In Asian stock markets, Tokyo closed down 1.7 percent and Hong Kong ended 2.6-percent lower.

Japanese automaker Toyota said it would keep its plants in China closed until at least February 9 over concerns about the outbreak.

Among other markets, Seoul slipped by 1.7 percent, Singapore retreated by 0.8 percent and Sydney was down 0.3 percent.

The Chinese mainland's stock market will remain closed until next Monday after authorities extended the Lunar New Year holiday by three days to halt the spread of the virus.

(CGTN)