Thomas Cook allows pregnant women free holiday switch

Tour operators are expected to offer pregnant women travelling to countries infected by the Zika virus the change their plans due to fears that an infection could harm their unborn babies.

Thomas Cook is already offering pregnant women due to travel to Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde on charter-based packages up to April 30 the chance to switch to other destinations.

For pregnant women booked to travel on scheduled airlines, Thomas Cook said it would contact the airlines on their behalf.

ABTA said it believed other tour operators would ‘do their best to be flexible’ if customers were pregnant and travelling to one of the affected destinations. He said women who wanted to cancel ought to be covered by their travel insurance provided they go a certificate from their doctor advising them not to travel.

Countries where the Zika virus is present include Brazil and other parts of central and South America.

The World Health Organsation said the recent outbreak is likely to spread to the whole of the Americas, with the exception of Chile and Canada.

While it causes only mild symptoms in adults, Zika is blamed for thousands of babies born with underdeveloped brains.

Three Britons have already contracted the virus after visiting Colombia, Suriname and Guyana.

UK officials say women should talk to their doctor about the risks and if travel is unavoidable they should take precautions to avoid bites from mosquitoes that spread the disease.

Unlike mosquitoes that carry malaria, those with the Zika virus are most likely to bite during the daytime, from dusk till dawn.

Women planning to become pregnant should be wary, said the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

Any pregnant woman who has recently travelled to a country where Zika is known to occur should tell their doctor or midwife, it said.

An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil was first reported in May last year.

Thomas Cook said in a statement: "The health and safety of our customers is of paramount importance.

"While cases of the Zika Virus remain predominantly in Brazil and Equador, there have been reports of cases in Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde.

"The World Health Organisation does not advise against general travel. However, we are contacting all customers due to travel to Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde up to and including 30th of April 2016 to advise them of the situation and offer assistance if required, prioritising those departing over the next few days.

"Our resort teams are contactable 24 hours a day should any customers currently on holiday in these countries need anything during their stay."

Tour operators are expected to offer pregnant women travelling to countries infected by the Zika virus the change their plans due to fears that an infection could harm their unborn babies.

Thomas Cook is already offering pregnant women due to travel to Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde on charter-based packages up to April 30 the chance to switch to other destinations.

For pregnant women booked to travel on scheduled airlines, Thomas Cook said it would contact the airline on their behalf.

ABTA said it believed other tour operators would ‘do their best to be flexible’ if customers were pregnant and travelling to one of the affected destinations. He said women who wanted to cancel ought to be covered by their travel insurance provided they go a certificate from their doctor advising them not to travel.

Countries where the Zika virus is present include Brazil and other parts of central and South America.

The World Health Organsation said the recent outbreak is likely to spread to the whole of the Americas, with the exception of Chile and Canada.

While it causes only mild symptoms in adults, Zika is blamed for thousands of babies born with underdeveloped brains.

Three Britons have already contracted the virus after visiting Colombia, Suriname and Guyana.

UK officials say women should talk to their doctor about the risks and if travel is unavoidable they should take precautions to avoid bites from mosquitoes that spread the disease.

Unlike mosquitoes that carry malaria, those with the Zika virus are most likely to bite during the daytime, from dusk till dawn.

Women planning to become pregnant should be wary, said the National Travel Health Network and Centre.

Any pregnant woman who has recently travelled to a country where Zika is known to occur should tell their doctor or midwife, it said.

An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, which was first reported in May last year.

Thomas Cook said in a statement: "The health and safety of our customers is of paramount importance.

"While cases of the Zika Virus remain predominantly in Brazil and Equador, there have been reports of cases in Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde.

"The World Health Organisation does not advise against general travel. However, we are contacting all customers due to travel to Mexico, Barbados, Dominican Republic and Cape Verde up to and including 30th of April 2016 to advise them of the situation and offer assistance if required, prioritising those departing over the next few days.

"Our resort teams are contactable 24 hours a day should any customers currently on holiday in these countries need anything during their stay."