Chinese authorities issued an alert for outbound travellers to guard against the Zika virus, which has spread in some Southeast Asian countries.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine asked travelers to affected countries to be extra cautious and to avoid mosquito bites.

Those coming from affected regions should declare themselves to the quarantine staff when entering China if they have suspect symptoms, such as fever, joint pain, rashes, conjunctivitis, headaches and muscle pain, said the administration.

Quarantine authorities nationwide were also asked to step up cooperation.

The Zika virus is acquired through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitos. Singapore confirmed 17 new local cases of the Zika virus on September 6, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 275.

Other Southeast Asian countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, have also reported Zika cases.

(Xinhua News Agency September 7, 2016)