Authority watchful to avert risk of Zika virus

China may be at risk of being affected by the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is spreading in the Americas, but the possibility of it spreading here is low as there are fewer mosquitoes in winter and spring, the country's top health authority said on Friday.

Since 2014, cases of Zika virus, which is thought to be linked with severe birth defects, have been reported in various American countries, and the cases quickly increased in recent months.

No Zika virus cases have been seen on the Chinese mainland, but the country does face a risk that the virus could be imported from other countries and regions, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.