Wuhan in Central China's Hubei province, where the first case of novel corona virus infection was identified, has set up a prevention and control center to combat the pneumonia outbreak, the local Changjiang Daily reported on Tuesday.

Led by the city's mayor, Zhou Xianwang, the center heads eight task forces by authorities, including emergency management, publicity, transport, market regulation, medical treatment and epidemic control and prevention.

The city will begin scanning passengers for higher body temperatures at airports, train stations and ports and reduce or cancel all unnecessary large gatherings.

Patients with serious symptoms should be treated by a team of medical workers with a specific plan and hospitals should strengthen the protection of their staff to prevent infection within hospitals.

The city will promptly and objectively release information about disease prevention and control.