The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.4pc by 0803 GMT.
The index had notched new highs in the last two sessions on optimism over what appeared to be a decline in new cases of infection in China.
But a jump in new cases after China deployed a new diagnostic method and a record rise in the death toll swiftly subdued risk appetite.
European sectors with heavy exposure to China, such as basic resources and automobile stocks fell 0.9pc and 1.1pc, respectively.