Queensland authorities suspect two new cases of Zika

Health authorities in the Australian state of Queensland are awaiting test results to confirm if two women who recently returned from a holiday in Bali have contracted the Zika virus.

Residents located in Queensland's north are being urged to protect themselves from the virus following the two suspected cases.

Queensland state Director of Public Health Dr Steven Donohue told Xinhua in a statement on Monday there was no connection with another recent case as the virus was acquired in a different country.

"The Bowen and Cannonvale travellers became unwell after returning from Bali," Donohue said.

"They were travelling with another person who lives near Gordonvale and that person has tested positive for Zika."

Donohue noted both women had now recovered, which made getting a definitive diagnosis a longer process, as the virus was no longer active in the body.

Authorities have now been sent to the area in northern Queensland to look for potential breeding sites.

The Asia-Pacific has been on high alert for the mosquito-borne virus, currently found in epidemic proportions in the Americas, after being declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in early February.

The virus has been linked to birth defects in unborn babies. Endit