Hong Kong has issued a red travel alert for the Democratic Republic of Congo as Ebola outbreaks escalate in Central Africa, with at least 139 suspected deaths reported.

The red alert – the middle level in a three-tier outbound travel alert system under the Security Bureau – means residents travelling to the country should adjust their plans and avoid non-essential travel due to the significant threat there.

The move on Thursday follows the health authorities’ announcement on Tuesday that the Penny’s Bay community isolation facility on Lantau Island had been prepared for potential quarantine orders.

Acting on advice from health authorities, the bureau will issue alerts for countries or territories seriously affected by infectious diseases to help the public better understand potential health risks.

Hong Kong has never recorded a case of Ebola, with health officials noting there were no direct flights between the city and the two affected African countries, the DR Congo and Uganda.