China on Friday issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to exercise heightened caution when planning trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Central African country.
According to the World Health Organization, Congo has recorded nearly 1,000 suspected Ebola infections and more than 220 suspected deaths, raising concerns about the spread of the deadly disease.
In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry advised citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to the country. It also urged Chinese nationals already residing in Congo and neighboring countries to avoid areas affected by the outbreak, particularly Ituri and North Kivu provinces.
The advisory further cautioned against contact with wild animals and individuals suspected of being infected with Ebola.
Chinese citizens who develop symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or bleeding were encouraged to seek medical attention immediately or contact Chinese medical teams for assistance.
The warning comes as international concern grows over the spread of the highly contagious virus across parts of Central Africa.
Health authorities have reported a cumulative total of 1,077 suspected Ebola cases, including 121 confirmed infections and 17 deaths since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has elevated the outbreak alert level to “very high,” while several neighboring countries have stepped up preventive measures aimed at containing the virus, including imposing travel restrictions on arrivals from Congo.
