New | Guangzhou gives expat population figures in latest effort to dispel Ebola fears

Authorities in Guangzhou have released details of the make-up of its expatriate population in an effort to soothe concerns that its “huge” African community could bring the deadly Ebola virus to the city.

Japanese, South Koreans, Americans, Indians and Russians make up most of Guangzhou’s 118,000 expat population, the city’s public security bureau said.

Expats from African countries numbered just 16,000 as of October 25 – smaller than the 57,000 from Asian countries and 22,000 from Europe – and most of them are from Nigeria and Egypt.

Most of the city’s expats live in the Yuexiu, Tianhe, Baiyun, Haizhu and Panyu districts, the bureau added.

Guangzhou authorities had earlier last month clarified the size of its African expat community after rumours started circulating that there were as many as half a million African people living in the city.

Several countries in West Africa are dealing with a widespread Ebola epidemic, and more than 6,000 people – mostly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – have died from the disease since March, according to the World Health Organisation. No Ebola cases have yet been reported in Asia.