A health worker fumigates a house as residents wait outside during a campaign against the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in Carabayllo district on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, on Monday. [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese health authorities have vowed to tighten measures to prevent Zika virus from entering the country, as the World Health Organization has declared the virus a global public health emergency.

According to Chinese health authorities, there have been no confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the country. The mosquito-borne disease is spreading through the Americas.

Yet the danger of a Zika virus outbreak will increase as spring draws near and the weather gets warmer.

Gao Fu is the deputy director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He says more precautions will be taken to prevent Zika virus from spreading to the country.

"We have frequent contacts with countries in South America. And we will probably have more exchanges with South America in these days with the Spring Festival drawing near. Also, the South is getting warmer and the season favorable for mosquito breeding follows. Under such circumstances, the virus could spread to our country. For us, the most important job is to take effective precautions and intensify inspection and quarantine work at customs."

The World Health Organization has declared Zika virus a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' requiring a united response

The virus is thought to produce malformations in babies whose mothers have been affected by the mosquito borne illness.

The first case of the Zika outbreak was reported in Brazil last May.

According to UNICEF, more than 4,000 cases of microcephaly in newborn babies in Brazil have been reported.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has pointed out further causes for concern, including the broad distribution of mosquito species, lack of vaccines, and reliable diagnostic tests, as well as the absence of population immunity in newly affected countries.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a new detection reagent to the virus and is dedicated to training more staff with local disease control centers.

Gao Fu noted that there's still no substantial result on the development of effective drugs and vaccine against the virus.

He echoed WHO's announcement and called for more investment into the prevention and control on global epidemics.

"I believe the decision from the WHO is not late. The outbreak of the disease warns us that scientists, researchers, and health administrators should enhance our capabilities on taking precautions. Governments and non-governmental organizations should put more effort into researching epidemics and the development of vaccines."

Officials are calling for a coordinated international response to minimize the threats in affected countries and reduce the risk of further spread of the Zika virus.