The worst-hit countries are intensifying their efforts to contain the deadly coronavirus as the number of cases globally surpassed 80,000.
In South Korea, there have been 60 new infections, taking the total to nearly 900. Americans have been warned against all but essential travel to the nation.
Italy and Iran are both battling to contain outbreaks of the virus.
In Japan shares slumped on Tuesday, reacting to a global plunge on Monday sparked by fear of further outbreaks.
Wall Street and London had both suffered big drops.
The World Health Organization said on Monday the world should do more to prepare for a possible pandemic – a situation where an infectious disease spreads easily between people in many countries.
The WHO said it was too early to label the outbreak as such, but countries should be “in a phase of preparedness”.
The Chinese government has announced a ban on the consumption of wild animals and a crackdown on the hunting, transportation and trade of prohibited species, state media say.
It is thought that the outbreak originated at a market in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, selling wild animals.