Masked North Koreans mark Kim Jong Il's birthday

North Koreans marked the birthday of their past leader Kim Jong Il Sunday with routine displays of reverence and loyalty, but in tune with the times, state media showed many of them wearing face masks.

North Korea has not yet officially reported a case of the new virus, but it has taken strict steps to limit all travel in and out of the country, and monitor its population for any signs of it.

State media have also reported extensively on the spread of the virus from China around the world, warning people to take every precaution against infection.

February 16 is the official birth date of Kim Jong Il, who took charge of North Korea from 1994 to 2011.

This year is the 78th anniversary of that official birth date.

North Korea usually lays on bigger events for every fifth year of a major anniversary like this.