China stays alert against Ebola

China's health watchdog has told local authorities to step up preparations for potential Ebola cases as the virus keeps spreading.

In a Thursday statement, the National Health and Family Planning Commission urged health departments, disease prevention institutes and hospitals to keep and share databases of people having close contact with suspected and confirmed Ebola patients. It also said that hospitals designated to handle Ebola cases should possess ample equipment and materials.

Meanwhile, health workers responsible for handling Ebola patients must be trained in self protection, and quarantine centers should be ready to take in suspected cases, the statement added.

Nearly 9,000 confirmed or suspected Ebola cases had been reported in seven countries, with 4,493 deaths, by Oct. 12, according to the World Health Organization.