US CDC Issues Zika Travel Notice Linked to Bali; Bali Tourism Office Says No Need for Excessive Concern
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Indonesia, with special attention to Bali, dated August 7, 2026, following reports of Zika virus cases in travelers returning from the island. Bali's tourism and health authorities say no Zika cases have been recorded on Bali itself, but they are urging standard mosquito-bite prevention. The notice is not a travel ban.
Bali's Tourism Office (Dispar Bali) has responded to a health notice issued by US authorities regarding the Zika virus, stating that foreign tourists do not need to be excessively worried about visiting the island.
Dispar Bali chief I Wayan Sumarajaya said Bali "remains safe and comfortable for holidaymakers," noting his office has coordinated closely with the Bali Provincial Health Office. According to health authorities, no Zika virus infection cases have been recorded anywhere in Bali to date.
Nonetheless, Sumarajaya urged tourists and tourism industry workers to continue independent preventive measures against mosquito-borne diseases, similar to precautions taken against dengue fever, given Bali's tropical climate.
I Gusti Ayu Raka Susanti, head of the Disease Prevention and Control division at the Bali Provincial Health Office, separately confirmed no Zika cases have been found in Bali. She said it is "reasonable" for travelers to remain cautious given the tropical setting, and that Zika prevention essentially mirrors dengue prevention: avoiding bites from Aedes mosquitoes, the vector for transmission.
Separately, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Indonesia, with specific attention to Bali, dated August 7, 2026. The notice followed reports of Zika virus cases in travelers who had returned from Bali, and advises travelers to take precautions against both mosquito bites and sexual transmission. The CDC notes Zika infections are typically mild or asymptomatic, though symptoms can include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, and red eyes. Pregnant women or those planning pregnancy face particular risk due to potential birth defects.
The Level 2 status ("Practice Enhanced Precautions") does not constitute a travel ban. It differs from Level 3, which advises reconsidering travel, and Level 4, which advises against all nonessential travel.
Things to Consider
Use insect repellent containing DEET and wear long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk when Aedes mosquitoes are most active. Check that accommodations have window screens or mosquito nets, and avoid areas with standing water. If pregnant or planning pregnancy, consult a doctor before traveling and consider precautions against sexual transmission (e.g., condom use). Seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as fever or rash appear. This is not a travel ban, so normal travel plans can proceed, but standard mosquito-bite prevention should be maintained throughout your stay.
Source: ANTARA News Bali