Pregnant women's sexual partners living in or returning from areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safer sex or abstain from it.

‘Zika virus infection is a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.’

According to the organisation, the presence of Zika in Southeast Asia has been documented in recent years, including from Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives and Bangladesh. 




"Thai authorities have been active in detecting and responding to Zika. Thailand's diligence underscores the commitment of health authorities to the health and well being of the Thai public, and provides a positive example to be emulated," said the statement.
Suggesting correct counselling for regions with active transmission of Zika virus, WHO has recommended safer sex or abstinence for a period of six months for men and women who returned from areas of active transmission, whether they are trying to conceive or not.
The global health organisation said it has been working with countries across the region to strengthen Zika virus and birth-defect surveillance, enhance vector surveillance and control, scale-up laboratory capacity and amplify risk communication and community engagement.
"All countries now have the laboratory capacity to conduct Zika virus testing, as well as to assess and identify microcephaly cases," it said, adding that controlling mosquito population is crucial to diminishing Zika virus transmission, as well as the transmission of other vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
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The organisation has also said that based on available evidence, WHO does not recommend trade or travel restrictions with countries, areas and/or territories with Zika virus transmission.
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It said that pregnant women should be advised not to travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus transmission.
Pregnant women's sexual partners living in or returning from areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safer sex or abstain from it for the duration of their partner's pregnancy.
Source-IANS