Relevant departments under the Ministry of Health and Sports are making preparations for medical treatment if any viral pneumonia suspected patient. 

A person in Wuhan of China was found infected with viral pneumonia involving such symptoms as illness and difficult breathing on December 12. Till January 5 this year, 59 people were infected. Seven of them were in serious condition while 163 others close to them are being monitored. No one has died of this virus so far, according to the World Health Organization. 

Regarding such a pneumonia outbreak, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and Russia are taking measures for fever screening and health quarantine for passengers coming from Wuhan. 

Singapore has taken samples from a suspected patient and those in close contact for lab tests. Some suspected patients were also found in Hong Kong and Thailand. 

An official from the Infectious Disease Control Department (Central) said, "We are speeding up monitoring tasks at jetties, airports and borders close to China, especially at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw airports. We are making preparations such as drawing standard operating procedures and clinical management guidelines and tasks for lab tests in cooperation with the National Health Laboratory. 

Public education campaigns against the virus such as erecting warning signs are also being conducted, he said. 

Yangon has connected flights with 13 Chinese airlines. The flights operate between Yangon International Airport and 18 cities in China. China is asking for the operation of more flights, according to the Civil Aviation Department. 

In the period between January and October last year, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Spring Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Ruili Airlines, and Qingdao Airlines launched flights between Chinese cities and Yangon Airport.