Four qualifiers for Tokyo 2020 have been affected as well as a string of Grand Prix and World Cup competitions.

Africa and Asia's Olympic qualifiers, scheduled to begin in Cairo and Seoul respectively on April 15, will both not go ahead as planned.

The European event in Madrid and the Americas qualifier in Panama City, which were both due to begin on April 18, are also suspended.

The FIE are reportedly "working hard" to ensure the events can be held at a later date.

Also cancelled is the FIE Grand Prix which was due to begin for men's and women's foil fencers in Anaheim in the United States tomorrow.

Four World Cups beginning on March 20 have also been called off - men's sabre in Budapest, women's sabre in Sint-Niklaas, men's épée in Buenos Aires and women's épée in Tashkent.

Another major event postponed is the Junior and Cadet World Championships which were due to start in Salt Lake City on April 3.

A number of countries have introduced travel restrictions and quarantine measures as a result of the virus, which has now claimed more than 4,700 lives around the world.

There have been more than 129,000 cases with the sporting calendar decimated by postponements and cancellations.

The events in the US have fallen victim to a 30-day ban on travel from the Schengen area of Europe which has been introduced by the American Government.

"We know that our elite athletes have trained for the opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympic Games not only for the last four years, but, in many cases, for most of their lives," said USA Fencing President Donald K. Anthony Jr. 

"The FIE is working hard to ensure that events are held at a later date, however everyone is looking to make sure that the health of all athletes from around the world is put first."