BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday the spread of coronavirus cases among people who have not been to China could be “the spark that becomes a bigger fire” and the human race must not let the epidemic get out of control.

There are over 40,000 confirmed cases in China and 909 deaths, as well as 319 cases in 24 other countries, including one death, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.

The death toll from the epidemic jumped by 97 on Sunday – the largest number in a single day since the virus was detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship with 3,700…