The risk of Malta being affected by the Zika virus has been raised from ‘low’ to ‘moderate’, according to a World Health Organisation report.

Malta is among 18 countries – a third of Europe – facing a moderate threat of being affected. In January, the level was assessed as low.

Popular tourist destinations including France, Italy and Spain are also at moderate risk, since people travelling to the country could carry the virus.

Health experts are saying it is important for holidaymakers to follow public health advice while abroad.

Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that causes symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). Although the virus may not be deadly, there are risks pregnant women could face, with the WHO noting many babies suffered from a resultant birth defect called microcephaly, which causes the head to be smaller than normal, causing brains to be smaller, as they have not developed properly.

The WHO said last week 60 countries reported being affected by the virus. It said 46 countries were experiencing a first outbreak of Zika since 2015. It said the incidence of Zika was higher in countries where Aedes mosquitoes were present.

This species of mosquito flourishes in areas like Madeira and the Black Sea, both of which are on high alert. Countries like France, Italy and Malta face a moderate risk because of the presence of such mosquitoes.

No vaccine exists to guard against the Zika virus.

The disease requires no specific treatment, but the WHO has encouraged individuals to prevent being bitten by mosquitoes by wearing clothes – preferably light-coloured – that cover as much of the body as possible, using physical barriers such as window screens or closing doors and windows, sleeping under mosquito nets and using insect repellent.