Popular travel spot added to list of Zika virus countries

IT’S a favourite holiday destination for many Australians. Now Thailand has been added to the list of countries where Zika virus is a serious concern.

DECEMBER 27 2015 DEALS Phuket in Thailand. For use with Flight Centre copy. Picture: Supplied

ONE of Australians’ favourite overseas holiday and honeymoon destinations has been added to the list of countries subject to “ongoing transmission” of Zika virus.

Thailand is now among 35 countries where visitors may be at risk of contracting the mosquito borne virus.

Although not deadly, the virus is considered a threat to pregnant women or those seeking to fall pregnant, having been inconclusively linked with hundreds of birth defects in Brazil and French Polynesia.

Symptoms of Zika include fever, rash, severe headache, joint pain, and muscle or bone pain.

Thailand is one of Australians’ top five overseas holiday spots.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Travel warns Australians planning on visiting countries on the list to take precautions such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using mosquito repellent, avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk and staying in air-conditioned rooms.

Women who are pregnant in any trimester, or hoping to fall pregnant are urged to postpone travel, or talk to their doctor first and follow medical advice.

In 2015, more than half a million Aussies visited Thailand, making it the fifth most popular overseas travel destination after New Zealand, Indonesia, the US and the UK.

Other countries on the Zika virus transmission list issued by DFAT are Mexico, Brazil, Barbados, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Tonga and Samoa.

So far, there have been at least eight people confirmed with Zika virus in Australia after returning from overseas, including one pregnant woman.

DFAT has also updated its Thailand travel advisory to reflect the Zika virus warning, stating the country is “experiencing ongoing transmission” and visitors should exercise a high degree of caution.

The DFAT advisory for Thailand warns travellers of the ongoing transmission of Zika virus. Picture: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images.

“All travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites,” states the advisory.

“Given possible transmission of the disease to unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to Thailand or talk to their doctor about implication.”

Thailand has been enjoying a resurgence in visitors from Australia after a downturn early last year following the violent murders of two British backpackers.