BEIJING — China has focused on controlling chains of virus transmission in the fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak, a health official said on Feb 16.

Prevention and control measures, worked out by a joint mechanism, feature controlling the source of infection, interrupting virus transmission and protecting the public, especially the susceptible population, Zhou Yuhui, an official with the National Health Commission (NHC), told a news conference in Beijing.

On controlling the source of infection, the NHC has kept updating a prevention and control plan and guided local work in terms of case identification, reporting, epidemiological investigation and close contact management, he said.

Zhou noted that community workers have been mobilized to trace personnel returning from hard-hit areas and close contacts and made proper arrangements for them.

Illegal activities of hunting, trading and eating wild animals have been harshly cracked down upon, Zhou said, noting that supervision over wildlife trading markets has been intensified to rein in the public health risks at the source.

As for interrupting virus transmission, Zhou said measures have been taken to prevent the virus from transmitting via public transportation vehicles, adding that the Spring Festival holiday has been extended and people are encouraged to stay at home or work from home.

Tourism and entertainment activities have been called to a halt to reduce mass gatherings and minimize population flows.

On protecting the public, the NHC has drawn up disease prevention guides for both the general public and the susceptible population, promoting health knowledge and mobilizing the people to participate in the prevention work, according to Zhou.