BEIJING — China will tighten quarantine measures against plague, authorities said on Oct 31.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said it has taken a series of measures to prevent plague from entering the country.

The measures include risk assessment, enhanced quarantine and inspection at customs, intensified health education and publicity.

The administration said it will pay close attention to the development of the epidemic in Madagascar and adjust prevention measures.

By Oct 19, the World Health Organization (WHO) had confirmed 1,297 cases of plague in Madagascar, since the outbreak on Aug 1.

The WHO said 846 cases have been diagnosed as pneumonic plague, the deadliest type that can spread from human to human.

The plague has caused 102 deaths in Madagascar and the WHO has raised the alert level.

Plague warnings have been issued for nine other countries, including South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.