SHENZHEN-BASED genome sequencing giant BGI has worked out a field test kit that can quickly identify the Ebola virus, it said Wednesday.

    Wang Aizhu, a spokesperson of BGI, the world’s largest genomics sequencing facility, said it is using technical assistance from the People’s Liberation Army’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences to synthesize a liquid chemical solution that would change color if the unique nucleic acid of the Ebola viral strain is present.

    The testing process, from sample taking to result analysis, takes three to four hours, according to the company.

    BGI said it has prepared the testing reagent for 10,000 people and is prepared for mass production.

    The company is acquiring an approval for the testing reagent from the State Food and Drug Administration.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a special permit for an Ebola test kit last week.

    Dong Xiaoping, a researcher with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a briefing Wednesday that the virus has a low possibility for outbreak in China, but could enter the country through its borders.

    (Anna Zhao)