Chinese gene firm developing Ebola reagent

A Guangdong-based gene company in China claimed on Tuesday that it is developing a nucleic acid reagent to test the deadly Ebola virus, then its shares surged more than 8 percent.

DAAN Gene Co, Ltd. of Sun Yat-sen University responded to investors at an interactive platform Tuesday afternoon that its nucleic acid testing reagent on Ebola is underway.

It is the country's first A-share listed company to disclose research plans on an Ebola reagent in public.

Shares of the company popped on much higher trading volume than usual following the news and finished the day up 8.01 percent.

The company's shares had surged last Friday after saying it might approve the plan of Ebola reagent based on market needs.

The company was established in 1993 and was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Aug 9, 2004.

Ebola, which spreads through mucus and other bodily fluids or secretions such as stool, urine, saliva and semen of infected people, is believed to be very difficult to control.

Four countries in West Africa have reported more than 800 deaths from Ebola, with more than 1,300 infected since the beginning of March.

China's quarantine authority has ordered tighter inspections at customs to prevent the virus from entering the country.