TAIPEI - Health departments in Taiwan are gearing up for potential Ebola cases as the fatal virus rages through West Africa.

Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou urged the island's health departments to map out a pandemic prevention plan and check medical resources while asking the public to stay calm at a meeting on Tuesday.

"There is no need to panic since we have rich experience in dealing with epidemics," Ma said, also stressing that Ebola spreads through body fluids, unlike airborne SARS.

Taiwan plans to donate 100,000 sets of protective gear as well as one million US dollars to Ebola-hit regions.