Official health advice for visiting Zika-affected areas issued

The government has issued its official health advice regarding the Zika virus to help people visiting affected areas take the necessary precautions.

Guidance has been released by Public Health England ahead of the start of the 2016 Olympic Games, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro‎, Brazil, one of the regions on which the virus is known to be circulating.

As such, visitors have been advised to apply insect repellent during the day and to wear loose-fitting long-sleeved tops and trousers, in order to ward off the mosquitos responsible for transmitting the disease.

Couples are advised to use condoms while at the Olympics and for eight weeks after they return, as it is known that Zika can have serious consequences for unborn children, potentially resulting in deformities and stunted growth of the head.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said: "If you are pregnant, my advice is to postpone travel if possible, but if you have to go, visit your doctor first so they can give you all the advice you need for the trip."

Finally, travellers were urged to visit their doctors before departing to seek advice, and to make sure they seek medical attention as soon as possible if any symptoms of the disease appear.