Sun Hui, an epidemiologist on the Guinea mission, said the tasks include information and technical support for China's embassy and consulates there on distribution and use of relief supplies, and training local Chinese on disease response.

On Thursday, China announced humanitarian aid supplies worth 30 million yuan ($4.87 million) for Ebola-hit countries to help contain the outbreak.

The aid was expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday, Ministry of Commerce spokesman Sun Jiwen said.

Sun Hui said each team will work for three days mainly with staff members from China's diplomatic and consular missions.

"The mission is aimed at helping to curb the further spread of the virus in the affected countries and enhancing the protection of Chinese nationals there against the outbreak," he said.

The disease control center has taken out insurance policies for the medical teams.

Feng Zijian, deputy director of the center, said, "Given that they are public health experts, they won't work on the clinical side, which involves contact with the patients."

Song Shuli, a spokeswoman for the Health and Family Planning Commission, said a training session was held on Sunday to help prepare the team.

Li Zhenjun, an expert going to Sierra Leone, the hardest-hit country, said information on biosafety, African social customs and preventive advice was given during the session.

On Friday, the World Health Organization declared the epidemic an international health emergency, advising countries to be prepared to help with the evacuation and repatriation of nationals, including health workers who had been exposed to Ebola, which has killed nearly 1,000 people to date.

However, Feng said China has no plan at the moment to withdraw its nationals from the countries affected.

Chinese medical teams from Beijing and Heilongjiang and Hunan provinces are continuing to perform their duties in the three countries.

Wang Yaoping, director of the medical team in Sierra Leone, said, "We won't withdraw under any circumstances and will more actively participate in combating Ebola here."

Related readings

Chinese medical teams work with governments to fight Ebola

Chinese medical supplies arrive in Ebola-affected Sierra Leone

Nation to donate $4.9 million for Ebola assistance

WHO declares Ebola epidemic an international emergency

Nanjing games staff urge calm over Ebola fears

Chinese medical team stays in Liberia to fight Ebola

Ebola fears grow across globe

Guangzhou on Guard for Ebola

What is Ebola virus disease	Background and summary	Questions on EVD