Foreign Office warns of Zika virus in Thailand
Pregnant women are being urged to reconsider travelling to Thailand after several cases of the Zika virus were reported in the country.
It is one of the few places outside the Americas and the Caribbean where the mosquito-born virus has been detected, although it has also spread to Cape Verde in the Atlantic and to several Pacific islands.
The Foreign Office amended its advice today to suggest people travelling to Thailand follow the advice of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, particularly women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Nathnac recommends pregnant women reconsider their plans to travel to Zika-infected countries due to the risk to their unborn babies. Although Zika is relatively harmless to adults, it can cause congenital defects in babies.
Thomas Cook said it would contact scheduled airlines to request changes for customers who are pregnant who no longer wish to travel to Thailand. The operator doesn’t operate its own charters to the destination.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026