SINGAPORE - Singapore is at low risk of having an ebola outbreak and residents should not to be alarmed by reports of ebola cases overseas, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday.

West Africa is seeing an ebola outbreak which has killed more than 600 so far. Ebola cases have been suspected in Britain and Hong Kong, but patients have so far tested negative. The authorities in those countries have put quarantine measures in place.

"Ebola poses a low public health risk to Singapore since person-to-person transmission results from direct contact with bodily fluids of those infected, and there is low travel connectivity to West Africa where the current outbreak remains limited to," the MOH said.

It is in close contact with the World Health Organisation and international counterparts and will continue to monitor the situation, it added.

"Our hospitals will be vigilant in testing for ebola where clinically indicated, such as in patients with the symptoms and a compatible travel history. All suspected and confirmed cases will be isolated," it said.

In addition, it will conduct contact tracing and all close contacts will be quarantined, if a case is detected.