Zika Virus Warning After Korea Case: Travel Tips for Foreign Residents

In June 2025, Korea confirmed its first Zika virus case in two years. The patient had recently traveled to Bali, Indonesia—one of the countries currently experiencing Zika outbreaks—and showed symptoms like rash, muscle pain, and red eyes after returning.

This reminds us that even if Zika isn’t spreading in Korea itself, travelers can still bring it back, and that includes foreign residents heading abroad for vacation.

Korean health authorities, including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), have urged travelers to take extra precautions when visiting Zika-risk countries.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this virus—from how it spreads to how to protect yourself.
Whether you’re planning a trip or just want to stay safe, this guide covers the essential facts and prevention tips you shouldn’t miss.

Table of Contents :

1. Korea Reports New Zika Case in 2025
2. What Is Zika Virus and Why It’s Dangerous
3. How Zika Spreads: Mosquitoes, Sex, and More
4. Countries with High Zika Risk in 2025
5. What to Do Before You Travel
6. How to Stay Safe During Your Trip
7. What to Watch for After Returning to Korea
8. Extra Precautions for Pregnant Women
9. Zika Virus FAQ for Foreign Residents
10. Where to Get Help in Korea

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What Is Zika Virus and Why It’s Dangerous

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne infection caused by a virus in the flavivirus family—the same group as dengue and yellow fever. It's mostly spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is active during the day in tropical and subtropical regions.

Most people with Zika don’t get very sick. In fact, up to 80% of cases have no symptoms at all. But when symptoms do appear, they usually start 3 to 14 days after infection and can include:

• Mild fever

• Rash (often flat and red with small bumps)

• Red eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Muscle and joint pain

• Headache and fatigue

The symptoms usually go away within a week. However, Zika becomes extremely dangerous if contracted during pregnancy. It can cause severe birth defects such as:

• Microcephaly (a condition where a baby’s head and brain are abnormally small)

• Vision or hearing loss

• Developmental delays

• Stillbirth or miscarriage

Zika can also spread through:

• Sexual contact (especially from male to female)

• Blood transfusion

• From mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth

• Lab exposure in rare cases

Because of these risks, even people without symptoms can unknowingly spread the virus—making prevention more important than ever.

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Countries with High Zika Risk in 2025

Zika virus isn’t limited to one region. As of mid-2025, the virus has been reported in 92 countries, according to the Korean health authority (KDCA). Many of these are popular vacation spots for travelers living in Korea.

Top Zika-affected regions include:

• Southeast Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines

• Central & South America: Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina

• Africa: Burkina Faso, and other tropical regions

• Western Pacific: Papua New Guinea, parts of Micronesia

• Southern Europe: rare, but cases reported in warmer months

In 2025 alone (as of May), over 12,000 Zika cases have been reported worldwide.
Brazil alone has seen over 100,000 cases since 2023.

Because Southeast Asia is a top travel destination for residents in Korea, the KDCA emphasizes extra caution when visiting countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These areas have active mosquito-borne transmission and climate conditions that help the virus spread year-round.

You can check updated Zika travel alerts through the World Health Organization (WHO) or CDC Zika Travel Information page before planning your trip.

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What to Do Before You Travel

Planning a vacation or business trip to Southeast Asia, Central America, or another tropical region? If you’re living in Korea, it’s important to prepare in advance to reduce your risk of Zika virus exposure.

Here’s a checklist to help you stay safe before departure:

Check Travel Advisories

• Visit the KDCA website or WHO Travel Health Notices

• Confirm whether your destination has a Zika outbreak or warning

Avoid Travel if Pregnant (or Planning Pregnancy)

• Pregnant travelers should delay trips to Zika-risk countries if possible

• If you or your partner are planning to conceive, wait at least 3 months after travel before trying

• Talk to your doctor before booking flights

Pack Smart: Mosquito Protection Gear

• DEET-based repellent (20–30% concentration)

• Picaridin for sensitive skin or pregnant travelers

• Light-colored, long-sleeved clothing

• Portable mosquito nets or room spray

• Condoms (for protection during and after travel)

Prepare Travel Insurance with Health Coverage

• Make sure your policy covers infectious diseases and hospital care abroad

• Keep a list of local clinics or hospitals near your destination

Traveling is exciting, but even short trips can come with health risks. A few simple preparations before you go can make a big difference.

For country-specific travel warnings issued by the Korean government, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel advisory site (available in Korean).

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How to Stay Safe During Your Trip

Once you're at your destination, especially in tropical areas, your biggest goal is to avoid mosquito bites—day and night. The mosquitoes that carry Zika (Aedes aegypti) are active during the daytime, so don’t let your guard down.

Practical Tips for Zika Prevention While Traveling:

• Use mosquito repellent frequently: Apply a product with DEET (20–30%), Picaridin, or IR3535. Reapply every few hours, especially if you're sweating or swimming.

• Wear protective clothing: Choose long sleeves and pants, preferably in light colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors and exposed skin.

• Stay in mosquito-safe accommodation:

  • Choose places with air conditioning or screened windows

  • Use bed nets, especially in rural or jungle areas

  • Avoid sleeping outdoors without protection

• Avoid mosquito-heavy environments:

  • Stay away from still water, forests, or dense vegetation

  • Be cautious at sunrise and sunset, when mosquitoes are more active

• Practice safe sex:

  • Use condoms or avoid sexual contact during and 3 months after travel

  • Zika can be sexually transmitted even if the infected partner has no symptoms

Special Note for Pregnant Travelers

If you're pregnant and must travel:

• Get advice from your OB-GYN first

• Use only pregnancy-safe repellents (Picaridin 10% or less)

• Be extra cautious with mosquito exposure and follow-up care

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What to Watch for After Returning to Korea

After your trip, you may feel fine—but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Zika virus has a latent period of up to two weeks, and many infected people never show symptoms.

Post-Travel Checklist:

• Monitor your health for 2 weeks:

  • Look for rash, fever, red eyes, muscle/joint pain

  • If symptoms appear, visit a doctor immediately and tell them you traveled

• Avoid donating blood for 4 weeks
  Even if you have no symptoms, blood donation is not allowed for a month after visiting Zika-risk countries.

• Delay pregnancy plans for at least 3 months (men and women)
  This reduces the risk of transmitting Zika to your partner or future baby.

• Use condoms for 3 months after return, especially if your partner is pregnant or may become pregnant

• Keep an eye on your sexual health
  Zika can be present in semen longer than in blood, which is why post-travel precautions last several weeks

If you feel unwell, contact the Korea Disease Control (KDCA) helpline at 1339 for guidance in English.

If you feel unwell after returning, call the KDCA’s 24-hour helpline at 1339, or visit the KDCA website for more information.

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Extra Precautions for Pregnant Women

Zika virus poses a serious threat during pregnancy. If a pregnant person becomes infected—even without symptoms—the virus can be passed to the baby and cause serious birth defects.

Zika-Related Risks for Babies:

• Microcephaly (abnormally small head and brain)

• Eye and hearing problems

• Delayed development

• Stillbirth or miscarriage

What Pregnant Women Living in Korea Should Do:

• Avoid travel to Zika-affected countries, especially during the first or second trimester

• If travel is unavoidable:

  • Consult your OB-GYN before your trip

  • Use only pregnancy-safe mosquito repellents

  • Take extra care with mosquito avoidance and safe sex precautions

• After travel:

  • Inform your doctor about where you went

  • Request ultrasound monitoring and Zika screening tests if needed

  • Watch for symptoms—even mild ones like rash or eye redness

Korean OB-GYN clinics may not always ask about travel history, so it’s important that you bring it up during your visit.

👉 The WHO Zika virus fact sheet also includes detailed information on pregnancy-related risks and global data.

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Zika Virus FAQ for Foreign Residents

Q1: Is there a vaccine for Zika virus?
No, there’s currently no approved vaccine. Several versions are in clinical trials, but not yet available to the public.

Q2: Can I get Zika without symptoms?
Yes. In fact, up to 80% of infections are asymptomatic. You could carry the virus and still pass it to others.

Q3: Can men transmit Zika to their partners?
Yes. Zika can stay in semen longer than in blood. Men should use condoms or avoid sex for at least 3 months after travel to a risk area.

Q4: Can I catch Zika from mosquitoes in Korea?
As of now, there’s no evidence that local Korean mosquitoes can spread Zika. All cases so far have been imported from other countries.

Q5: What should I do if I think I have Zika?
Visit a hospital or clinic and tell them about your recent travel. You can also call 1339 for English support from KDCA.

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Where to Get Help in Korea

If you feel unwell after traveling or need advice on Zika prevention, here’s where to go:

Emergency Contact:

• KDCA Call Center (1339)

  • Available 24/7

  • English-language support included

Hospitals with English Services:

• Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH)

• Yonsei Severance International Clinic

• Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul
  (Tip: Call ahead and mention you are a foreign resident with possible Zika exposure)

Where to Buy Mosquito Repellent:

• Olive Young, Lalavla, or Watsons stores

• Korean pharmacies (약국, yak-guk)

• Ask for products with DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535