Cases of a disease related to dengue fever have made their way to New Zealand along with other serious mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the vectors responsible for transmitting dengue fever. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Since March this year, there have been 45 cases of Zika reported to Environmental Science and Research throughout New Zealand.
Zika symptoms include a rash, mild fever, joint and muscle pain, and headaches.
All but two people who caught the disease had been in the Cook Islands.
Since April, there have been a dozen cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne disease, all from Tonga.
ESR clinical microbiologist Deborah Williamson said the diseases could not be spread here.
"There's always a possibility that the type of mosquitos that spreads these diseases could become established in the warmer parts of New Zealand, but at the moment these mosquitos are not found in New Zealand."
Official advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Safe Travel government website says there are no vaccines for the virus and is urging people who travel to Pacific Islands to wear insect repellent and protective clothing.
