The outbreak of a never-before-seen type of coronavirus in China in recent weeks is worrying due to its apparent ease of transmission and the number of deaths attributed to it.

The jury is still very much out on how severe this virus, which is believed to have originated in animals, will actually prove to be.

However, while there is certainly no need to panic, that doesn't mean residents - regardless of whether they live in a regional area or a capital city - should not take precautions to minimise possible exposure.

A fact sheet issued by the Harvard Medical School notes the only way of catching the virus is to be exposed to somebody who already has it.

With only five known Australian cases to date, this is not very likely at this point.

The downside is people who have been exposed to the virus, but who have not yet shown symptoms, do have the capacity to spread it to others through coughs, sniffles and sneezes.

According to the Harvard experts, really simple measures such as washing your hands regularly with soap, covering coughs and sneezes with your inner elbow (not your hands) and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, mouth or hands are all effective deterrents.

They urge anybody who develops a fever to stay home from work or school and say it is best to steer clear of others who are displaying signs of respiratory illness. Symptoms to watch out for are a runny nose, coughing and sneezing.

If you develop these symptoms and suspect you may have been exposed to an infected person, either through overseas travel or contact with someone who has travelled overseas, contact your doctor.

We ignore outbreaks such as this at our peril. The greatest calamities to have ever befallen the human race have been diseases.

It would do no harm at all to adopt some of the excellent, and commonsense, advice being offered by medical experts.