The outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus has been linked to a recent increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly in Brazil, which causes babies to be born with abnormally small heads and can lead to problems with brain development.
Zika is currently affecting countries within South and Central America, as well as some Caribbean islands, Cape Verde and Samoa.
The outbreak has caused Public Health England and the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) to update its advice for pregnant women travelling to these regions.
NaTHNaC director Dr Dipti Patel said: “All travellers, especially pregnant women going to an area with active Zika virus transmission should ensure they seek travel health advice from their GP or a travel clinic well in advance of their trip and consult the NaTHNaC website for up-to-date information.”
The Latin American Travel Association (Lata) said it was monitoring NaTHNaC’s guidelines on the Zika virus as well as liaising with Abta.
Lata chairman Byron Shirto said: “We would advise travellers to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are currently reported to consult a health professional prior to travel.
“This is especially important for pregnant women who at present have been advised to consider delaying travel to areas with ongoing Zika outbreaks.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is not currently recommending any widespread travel restrictions related to areas affected by the Zika virus.
Abta is recommending that pregnant women due to travel to an affected area should seek medical advice from their GP.
“Where it is necessary to change or cancel their holiday arrangements in light of the NaTHNaC advice, they should request that their GP provides them with a medical certificate in order to assist them with any possible insurance claim,” said Abta.
“Women planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their GP to assess their risk of infection from Zika virus. All visitors to countries where Zika virus has been identified should follow strict insect bite avoidance.”
Abta added that travel companies selling affected destinations should inform customers who have already booked trips to these areas about cancellation and amendment policies.
“Travel companies will try and be as flexible as possible with pregnant customers who had already booked before the advice changed,” added Abta.
“Travel companies should monitor NaTHNaC advice closely for updates and should ensure that customers wishing to make future bookings to areas where Zika virus outbreaks are currently reported, are referred to the NaTHNaC advice.”
Insurance specialist Holidaysafe.co.uk said that travel policies did not provide cover for cancellation or curtailment of trips due to “the fear of an epidemic, pandemic, infection or allergic reaction” as standard within the industry.
"We would advise travellers who have booked package holidays to a destination affected by the Zika virus and looking to cancel their trip to contact their travel agent in the first instance, as some are allowing pregnant women to change their travel plans free of charge," said the firm.
