Zika Warning in Thailand

Health officials are warning that the number of Zika infections is increasing, especially in the provinces of Phayao, Bangkok, and Maha Sarakham.

Advice

Travellers are reminded that sporadic infections with the Zika virus still occur. Because the transmission of this virus is far below previous epidemic levels, the risk of exposure to this virus may be low at this time. The risk of exposure for the general traveller in any particular location is difficult to estimate since so many people (80 percent) who may be infected have no symptoms and are not recorded officially. There may be infected people in the community. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for this infection. Travellers can minimize the risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. 

This virus is the cause of microcephaly (small brain) and other neurological abnormalities in newborn infants when the mother is infected during pregnancy. The World Health Organization advises that pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks.