The World Health Organisation (WHO) is preparing to deploy a team of experts to Algeria to support local health authorities after the country this week reported its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The WHO's regional office for Africa said that an Italian adult who arrived in the country on February 17 tested positive for the virus, as reported by Algeria's ministry of health. 

"This is the first case in the WHO African region," said the WHO via a statement. 

Algeria is one of 47 countries in the WHO's African region and one of 13 that the organisation identified as a top priority for preparedness measures due to their direct links or high volumes of travel to China.

“The window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for coronavirus disease is closing. All countries must ramp-up their preparedness activities,” WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said.