The Zika virus epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean that has been linked to a congenital syndrome in newborns has been reported in numerous regions around the world. Previous warnings have been issued for travel to regions in the southern United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, select Pacific Islands and one country in Africa and Asia, and the most recent reports show cases of Zika in several Southeast Asian countries.

Those travelling to Southeast Asia should be aware Zika was contracted in the following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor) and Vietnam. The disease is at an endemic level in these countries, the term for a disease present in a region for so many years a large number of the population is suspected immune to it. Travellers, however, should take precaution when visiting.

Compared to South American countries such as Brazil, which has seen up to 1.5 million residents affected, Thailand has seen only 520 cases since the beginning of the year, and so far there were only two confirmed Zika-associated microcephaly cases in newborns in Thailand. Precautions are still recommended for travellers going to the Southeast Asian countries listed, including use of insect repellents and clothing that covers as much of the body as possible. As a reminder, the symptoms of Zika are relatively mild, including a mild fever, rash, red eyes and joint pain. These symptoms only last two to seven days, but the disease can pose a significant danger to pregnant women, so extra precaution should be taken.