Chinese authorities have identified the southern province of Guangdong, home to Asia's biggest African population, as a front line in their efforts to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering mainland China.

The province, bordering Hong Kong, has proven susceptible to infectious diseases in the past, shouldering a large share of SARS and bird flu cases, prompting local authorities to take no chances with Ebola.

Local authorities say they have expanded testing procedures at provincial entry ports and 27 hospitals have been designated to handle possible Ebola cases. Travelers arriving from Ebola-affected nations must leave their contact details.