Queensland woman caught Zika virus while visiting Tonga ^Featured

She tested positive to the virus on Tuesday 9 February after suffering symptoms and is believed to be 28 weeks’ pregnant.

Tonga has been listed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades as a country of concern because of the ongoing transmission of Zika virus.

Earlier this week, the Federal Government committed up to $500,000 to help stop the spread of the mosquito-borne illness in the Pacific Islands.

There are 549 suspected cases of Zika in Tonga, including in three pregnant women. The State Government is set to roll out public health advertisements at all international airports in Queensland.

A Federal Department of Health spokeswoman said no additional safety measures have been implemented at Australia’s borders because there is no way to screen travellers for Zika.

“Given the seriousness of the possible risk to unborn ­babies, the Department of Health has provided advice … which recommends that pregnant women consider deferring travel to affected areas,” the spokeswoman said. The three cases of Zika confirmed in Queensland this year were acquired overseas.

Curtin University expert John Mackenzie was part of a State Government meeting last week to plan the state’s ­response. He said “the biggest danger” to pregnant women, or those trying to conceive, who travelled to the affected countries was if they were unaware they picked up Zika.

In 80 per cent of cases, there are no symptoms. Zika virus has been associated with microcephaly – a small head and possibly brain retardation – in infants whose mothers contracted the virus while pregnant.

Courier Mail