The COVID-19 coronavirus has led to the cancellation of one of the world’s largest energy conferences, CERAWeek, held annually in Houston.

IHS Markit, the London-based global information firm that organizes CERAWeek, said it had made its decision “reluctantly and after deep consideration.” The event was scheduled March 9-13.

In an email to participants and a message posted on CERAWeek 2020’s website Sunday, IHS Markit said that concern about the virus has “mounted rapidly” in recent days. It pointed to increasing number of companies instituting travel bans and restrictions, more restrictive border health checks and “growing concern about large conferences with people coming from different parts of the world.”

Event organizers were expecting delegates from more than 80 countries to participate in CERAWeek 2020. Last year’s event drew more than 5,500 executives, government officials and thought leaders from the energy, policy, technology and financial industries.

“Our No. 1 concern is the health and safety of delegates and speakers, our partners, our colleagues and vendors,” event organizers said, noting they had established a medical partnership with a local hospital and were in touch with infectious disease experts. “But the spread of COVID-19 is moving quickly around the world.”

IHS Markit said it would continue with CERAWeek 2021 in Houston on March 1-5, 2021.

COVID-19 has infected more than 88,000 people worldwide, killing almost 3,000, including one in the U.S.

— Tom Kleckner