BEIJING -- China's National Health Commission has been strengthening comprehensive prevention and control measures including investigations on plague foci and emergency response in the northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Efforts are being made to facilitate the timely disclosure of epidemic information and the popularization of health knowledge, according to a Thursday statement from the commission.

The commission has been supporting and guiding Beijing and Inner Mongolia authorities in strengthening plague treatment and surveillance after two patients from Xilingol League of Inner Mongolia were diagnosed with pneumonic plague in Beijing on Nov 12.

The two patients, who are currently undergoing treatment in Beijing, remain in critical condition, while all those who came in close contact with them were released from medical observation last Thursday.

A new bubonic plague case was confirmed Wednesday in Ulanqab city, Inner Mongolia. The patient had visited a region where plague foci were identified.

It followed the diagnosis of the first bubonic plague case in Ulanqab on Nov 16.

Both patients are receiving treatment in two local hospitals, respectively, and are in a stable condition, said the commission.

People who came in close contact with the Nov 16 patient have been released from medical quarantine, while four close contacts of the Nov 27 patient are still under medical observation but have shown no symptoms such as fever.

No new plague cases have been reported in the country so far, said the commission.

There are large areas of natural plague foci in Inner Mongolia where contact with plague-infected animals such as rats or hares might result in human infection, the commission said.

Experts have pointed out that the plague is preventable and controllable. Suggested measures for disease prevention and control in areas with plague outbreaks include issuing reports of animal deaths from plague and suspected plague patients, and prohibiting the hunting and eating of animals suspected to be the source of plague.

After the plague cases, the authorities in Inner Mongolia have carried out rodent extermination and health education.