BEIJING, Feb. 1-- A Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday said China would help Latin American countries to contain the spread of the Zika virus.

Zika, transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has been linked to birth defects and has symptoms including fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea and rashes in adults.

Over 300,000 cases had been reported in Latin America by January since May 2015 when Zika began surfacing in northeast Brazil.

"China supports Latin America's epidemic prevention efforts and is willing to cooperate and provide assistance within our capacity," spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing.

Lu said China was paying close attention to the situation as well as developments in virus control.

"We remind Chinese citizens going overseas and those in areas where there have been confirmed cases to take the necessary precautions," he added.