China warns citizens travelling to Singapore over Zika outbreak, urges them to remain cautious

In the wake of Zika outbreak reported in Singapore recently, China has issued a travel warning to its citizens travelling to the country. More than 250 cases of Zika virus infection have been reported in Singapore, with 30 out of these being Chinese citizens.

The warning issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on Wednesday (7 September) urged health officials to tighten health checks, quarantine controls and epidemic monitoring at ports across the mainland, South China Morning Post reported.

The outbreak, which began in Brazil, spread to the Americas and numerous cases were reported in Florida. However, with people being infected with the deadly virus in Singapore and Malaysia, concerns have been raised in Asian countries.

In its warning, China's General Administration Department has said that its nationals who plan to travel to 58 countries and regions hit by the virus should adopt "stringent" measures to avoid mosquito bites. It also asked people to wear light-coloured, long-sleeve shirts and trousers and use mosquito repellent and nets while sleeping.

For tourists who are currently in Singapore, the department has asked them to monitor their health condition regularly and to immediately visit a local doctor if they notice symptoms like fever, rash or joint pain.