China is battling to contain the outbreak of the Sars-like coronavirus as new cases were detected around Asia and the first evidence of human-to-human transmission of the illness triggered a stock market sell-off.

After cases had been identified in Thailand and South Korea, a new outbreak was detected in Taiwan on Tuesday and in Australia, a Brisbane man was isolated at home when he reported flu-like symptoms after arriving from Wuhan in China. He was later released after showing no symptoms, but the government was awaiting definitive test results.

China’s National Health Commission on Monday also confirmed the first cases of human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus. That has fuelled concerns over the spread of the disease, which has infected 308 people and killed six in China ahead of the start of the new year break this weekend.