Aussie women warned amid confirmation of 14th case of Zika in Queensland

Pregnant women in Australia are being told to be vigilant and avoid being bitten by mosquitos following a 14th confirmed case of the Zika virus in the Australian state of Queensland.

The resident from the Queensland state town of Cairns became ill after returning from the Caribbean.

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

The virus, which is spread by the same mosquito variety that carries Dengue, might not be able to be stopped forever, Queensland state Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Richard Gair said on Thursday.

"We have measures which we can take to respond to cases...but it may not be possible to prevent transmission of Zika in the future in north Queensland," Gair said

"The disease, which has been linked to a condition characterised by babies being born with small heads, is usually mild."

However, Gair said it is a concern for unborn children and pregnant women, who he says should use residual sprays in the home and insect repellent.

"Zika outbreak could be harder to deal with than incidents of Dengue because people were often unaware they'd contracted the virus." Endit