AKIPRESS.COM - The suspension of flights to slow the spread of a deadly new virus is having a major impact on global flows of letters and parcels, say postal operators in the United States, China and elsewhere.

In a note seen by The Associated Press, the U.S. Postal Service informed its counterparts around the world on Tuesday that it is "experiencing significant difficulties" in dispatching letters, parcels and express mail to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, "because most of its supplier airlines have suspended their flights" to those destinations.

As a consequence and "starting immediately," USPS said it can no longer accept items destined for China, Hong Kong and Macao "until sufficient transport capacity becomes available."