The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is now warning those who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon to consider delaying travel to affected countries, including Samoa.

Concerns are mounting that pregnant women infected with zika virus can transmit the disease to their unborn babies, potentially causing birth defects.

In Brazil, the virus has been linked with an increase in reported cases of microcephaly, in which babies are born with unusually small heads.

Those travelling in zika-infected areas are advised to take medical advice and all precautions possible to avoid mosquito bites including:

• Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Using insect repellents containing Deet, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing and gear
• Sleep under bed nets
• Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms