Zika virus hits thailand
Australian Government warns Thailand holidaymakers to exercise a high degree of caution.
The Australian Government has updated its travel advisory for Australians travelling to Thailand.
While the advisory has not been raised from exercise a "high degree of caution", the Government has issued a Zika update to the area.
The Zika virus poses a serious risk for Australians, especially pregnant women, who are planning on travelling to the region.
The Smartraveller website has urged all would-be travellers to take all precautions necessary to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Because of the risk the disease poses to unborn babies, pregnant women should be very vigilant and cautious in their approach, and should consult a doctor about the possible dangers Zika poses to them. The site added that pregnant women may want to consider postponing their travel to Thailand.
Thailand has long been a holiday favourite for Australians heading abroad and is the consistently one of the top five most searched destination for those looking for travel insurance on finder.com.au.
While there are people in Australia who have the Zika virus, the risk of contracting Zika is low and Australia is not on the list of countries with an ongoing transmission warning.
This is latest country to be added to the list that has an ongoing transmission of Zika. Other countries that the Government has issued warnings for include:
- American Samoa
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Colombia
- Cape Verde
- Costa Rica
- Curaçao
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Suriname
- Thailand
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- US Virgin Islands
- Venezuela
For those still determined to go to Thailand, "do not travel" advisories are still in effect for Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala. Travel to these areas will not be covered by most Australian travel insurance policies, which will be void as they won't cover travel to areas with a "do not travel" designation. It's also unlikely that the Australian Government will provide you with consular assistance should something happen.
Picture: kellyliveshere
