China Steps Up Checks Against Ebola

BEIJING, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- China is set to step up customs checks at its borders to prevent the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus into the country. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said stricter inspections would be implemented on inbound airlines from regions affected by the virus. Apart from extending sanitary measures on incoming vehicles and goods at the customs from the affected areas, the quarantine authority would also suspend import of special items and animal products from the Ebola-hit nations, Xinhua news agency reported. The quarantine authority would also help raise awareness about the disease to travellers bound for the affected regions. The Ebola outbreak in Guinea in March has claimed 887 lives and affected 1,603 as of Aug 1 in four western African countries, namely Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. On July 30, a Hong Kong woman returning from Kenya with suspected Ebola symptoms tested negative for the disease. -- BERNAMA