China downplays possibility of Ebola outbreak

Passengers go through quarantine checks in Nanjing of Jiangsu Province. August 12, 2014. [Photo/CFP]

Chinese authorities are moving to downplay concerns about a possible Ebola outbreak in China.

Xiang Nijuan is a researcher from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Based on our analysis, there is a risk that the virus can be transported to China. But such a risk is relatively low, and the possibility of an outbreak is slim. The virus has spread to four African countries. Chinese nationals have traveled to the countries now and then, but recently due to the outbreak, the number of travelers has gone down. Meanwhile, more Chinese nationals in the affected countries are likely to head home."

The suggestion comes amid an increase in inspections at Chinese points of entry for signs of the virus, which has already left over a thousand dead in West Africa.

China's tourism administration is also working on an emergency response plan for Ebola.

Meanwhile, quarantine procedures have been increased in the city of Nanjing, which is hosting the Youth Olympics Games, starting on Saturday.

Xu Minsheng is the deputy chief of Nanjing's Public Health Bureau.

"We require medical institutions at every administrative level to file reports straight away if they discover patients with symptoms like fever, jaundice and diarrhea."

So far there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola entering China, though Hong Kong has been subject to a couple of false alarms.

There are 8 Chinese health care workers currently being quarantined in West Africa amid concern they may have been exposed to Ebola.

However, so far none of the 8 is displaying any symptoms.

Ebola can, in some cases, take upward of three-weeks to show symptoms in those exposed to the virus.