Emirates offers refund for air tickets to Zika-hit countries

A day after World Health Organisation declared the mosquito-borne Zika virus an international public health emergency, Emirates Airline has offered refund to passengers who do not want to travel to Zika-hit countries.

Also, the customers can reschedule their itinerary to an alternate destination, reported Emirates 24/7.

“Special provisions have been put in place for customers advised to avoid the affected regions based on CDC [the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidance. Customers holding a ticket issued on or before January 29, 2016, for travel up to April 30, 2016, may choose to rebook to an alternate destination in the Americas not affected by the virus, or refund their travel to destinations reported to be affected by the Zika virus,” the carrier said in a statement toEmirates 24l7.

Earlier on Monday, Qatar issued a travel advice for its citizens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned Qatari nationals against travelling to Southern American countries due to the outbreak of Zika disease.

It urged citizens, who are at present in Southern American countries, to take necessary precautions and contact the Qatari diplomatic missions or the ministry's emergency hotline: 40111000, 40111104 or 40111140.

The unprecedented and explosive outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease is causing fear in the affected regions.

But the virus is expected to spread throughout North, Central and South America, except Canada and Chile, and people should check for the latest advice before travelling.