Bali Issues Important Update For Tourists About Zika Virus

The mosquito-borne disease has seen outbreaks recorded across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific over the last 20 years. 

Latest Health Advisory & Official Findings

The Bali Tourism Office (Dispar) ensures tourists do not need to adjust travel plans to the island following a health warning from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about Zika virus in Bali.

Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Wayan Sumarajaya, said his teams are coordinating with the Bali Provincial Health Office on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health warning about Zika virus. He confirmed that no cases of Zika have been reported in Bali to date.

Sumarajaya told reporters, “We have coordinated with the relevant agencies regarding this matter. According to the Bali Provincial Health Office, there have been no reported cases of Zika in Bali.”

Although there have been no reported or suspected cases, Sumarajaya reminded tourists to continue taking preventive measures while in Bali.

He noted that, as a tropical region, a proactive approach to mitigating mosquito-borne diseases remains essential, including preventing mosquito bites, as with dengue fever. He continued, “Because we’re in a tropical country, prevention is important, just like with dengue fever. So, tourists must remain vigilant to avoid mosquito bites.”

Sumarajaya reiterated to reporters that the CDC’s health warning should not cause undue concern about Bali as a tourist destination, noting, “I hope tourists won’t be afraid to come to Bali, because Bali is a safe and comfortable place to vacation.”

Regional Context & Disease Mitigation in Bali

Speaking separately, Dr. I Gusti Ayu Raka Susanti, M.Kes., Head of Disease Prevention and Control (P2P) at the Bali Provincial Health Office, echoed the statements from the Bali Tourism Office.

She confirmed that there have been no reported cases of Zika in Bali to date, explaining, “There have been no reported cases of Zika in Bali itself. Because it’s a tropical country, tourists are advised to be vigilant when traveling. That’s normal.”

The statements come as a response to updates issued on the 7th August 2026 by the CDC, which published a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Zika in Indonesia, with particular attention to Bali. The CDC cited reports of Zika cases in travelers returning from Bali and urged travelers to take precautions against mosquito bites and sexually transmitted infections during and after travel.

For context, Level 2 on the CDC’s travel warning classification system calls for ‘Practice Enhanced Precautions’, which means travelers are advised to implement additional precautionary measures. This status differs from Level 3, which advises postponing nonessential travel, and Level 4, which recommends avoiding all travel.

For tourists traveling to Bali, the same prevention measures apply for all mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and malaria. Dengue is by far the most commonly reported mosquito-borne disease in Indonesia, and affects only a small percentage of travelers each year.

Clinical Access & Recommended Precautions

The most effective way to protect against all three diseases is to reduce the risk of a mosquito bite. This can be achieved by using mosquito repellent, wearing light, loose clothing, using a mosquito net, or sleeping in a closed room. Mosquito coils are also an effective tool if sleeping in a closed room is not achievable. 

Tourism and health officials in Bali typically take a very proactive approach to public health issues such as disease outbreaks.

When the first reported cases of Super Flu were confirmed in the region earlier this year, the Bali Health Office introduced additional screening measures at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, including thermal scanners.

Tourists traveling to Bali must obtain comprehensive travel insurance before traveling to Indonesia and understand what is and is not covered in an emergency.

More information about Zika virus can be found on the World Health Organization website.

What It Means for Travelers

Health authorities confirm that standard travel to Bali remains safe and uninterrupted. Visitors are encouraged to maintain sensible tropical mosquito precautions—such as using insect repellent and selecting air-conditioned accommodations—and ensure active international travel insurance coverage. International travelers seeking emergency medical assistance or private clinic consultations can access 24-hour tourist emergency facilities across South Bali and Ubud.