China's readiness to combat the Ebola virus was well under way Wednesday as it began mass-producing test kits that would arrest any potential spread of the deadly virus.

Ebola has no proven cure at the moment, but medical experts say early detection can increase the chances of survival of those who contract the virus.

Like Us on Facebook

The Ebola test kit that is being produced in Shenzhen, Guangdong province addresses this need for immediate detection.

A representative of Shenzhen Puruikang Biotech Company said the reagent substance being produced can detect within three to four hours the presence of Ebola from samples taken from a patient.

The reagent was first developed by the medical sciences branch of China's military, the People's Liberation Army.

The PLA worked with a genomics research company, BGI, to come up with a chemical solution that changes color upon reacting with the nucleic acid of an Ebola strain.

The researchers have also developed similar nucleic acid test kits to detect strains of H1N1 and H7N9, and have just completed China's first genome sequence of the SARS virus.

China's Food and Drug Administration approved the mass production of the Ebola test kits late last week in the wake of worldwide concern over the disease, which has killed 1,427 people in four African nations as of August 22, based on records obtained from the World Health Organization.

Liberia leads the Ebola fatality record with 624 deaths and 1,082 confirmed cases. Sierra Leone and Guinea are likewise hard-hit, and just recently, Nigeria has reported some 16 cases and five deaths.

Apart from mass-producing test kits, China has also stepped up medical checks on travelers from the infected African nations.

In the event of an outbreak, authorities have designated a hospital in Youan and another in Ditan to admit Ebola patients, who will then be attended to by a special committee of Chinese doctors.

In the absence of an internationally approved medication, Ebola patients may be administered with traditional Chinese medicine, among other treatments that will ease the symptoms of the disease.

Beijing currently has 10 ambulances with quarantine capability that are on 24-hour standby to handle and transport Ebola patients.

The Ebola test kits being mass-produced will be deployed throughout the country once the virus hits the mainland.

TagsEbola Test Kit