Zika Hits New, Non-Caribbean Tourist Hotspot

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

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If you’ve been looking for an alternative to a Caribbean or South American vacation due to fears over the Zika virus, you may want to scratch Indonesia off your list as well. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Bali is a popular vacation destination for Australian travelers) recently issued a warning for pregnant women considering traveling to Indonesia, stating: “Given the possibility that Zika virus can cause severe malformations in unborn babies, and taking a very cautious approach, pregnant women should discuss any travel plans with their travel doctor and consider postponing travel to Indonesia.”

According to the Daily Mail, Indonesia is “experiencing sporadic transmission of the virus”. However, it’s worth nothing that the CDC considers the risk of Zika to travelers in Indonesia is low, and that the virus is considered to be endemic to the country. (Here’s a good breakdown of the difference between “endemic” and the “epidemic” outbreak happening throughout the Caribbean and South America right now.)

Fears over Zika are continuing to mount throughout the rest of the world as famous athletes (such as pro golfer Rory Mcllroy) withdraw from the Rio Olympics out of an abundance of caution.

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