Australian woman tests positive for Zika after returning from Tonga

The Australian health authorities are warning residents in the north Queensland state town of Bowen to kill mosquitoes around their homes after a local tested positive for the Zika virus.

A woman tested positive to the virus on Friday after returning from Tonga earlier in March.

A total of 13 people in Queensland state have been diagnosed with the virus.

While the risk of transmission was low it was important every Bowen household eliminates the mosquitoes, Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue told AAP Monday.

"I urge residents to get rid of these mosquitoes themselves, including spraying inside and around their homes," Donohue said.

"That way we can avoid a local outbreak."

The infected woman was home for a few days before heading to hospital to recover.

The Australian authorities remain on high alert following a string of confirmed cases of Zika virus to have entered the nation via travellers returning from the Pacific islands.

The Queensland health authorities have undertaken significant mosquito control programs after the Zika transmitting mosquitoes were found in the vicinity of patients confirmed to have contracted the virus. Endit