Competition was due to take place from March 5 to 7 in Yas Island, the same location where a number of cyclists are in lockdown after a coronavirus scare during the UAE Tour. 

Two Italian staff members from one of the teams had tested positive for coronavirus, leaving the remainder of the event to be cancelled and riders to be checked for the illness. 

The decision to postpone the World Triathlon Series event was taken by ITU, in in consultation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

"Although the Abu Dhabi authorities are working on measures so that the safety of all the athletes, coaches and officials participating in the event is the main concern, due to the new World Health Organization recommendations and the spread of the virus, ITU and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council have jointly agreed to postpone the event," an ITU statement said. 

"ITU, the local Organising Committee and Abu Dhabi Sports Council are looking at possible dates for relocating the event later on in March or April."

Alongside the World Triathlon Series race, the Abu Dhabi Paratriathlon World Cup and Abu Dhabi mixed relay event had also been scheduled to take place. 

Around 300 elite athletes and more than 2,500 age-group athletes and scholars were expected to be competing.

According to latest figures, 19 people have now been infected by coronavirus in the UAE. 

The country has stopped all flights to and from Iran, one of the worse-affected countries.

Globally, there are now more than 85,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and the number of new cases outside of China is eclipsing new cases in the country where the outbreak originated.