Canada updates travel advisory for Bangladesh with 'health warning'

The Canadian authorities have updated the travel advisory for its citizens on travelling to Bangladesh, asking pregnant women to not do so.

"Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should avoid travel to Bangladesh," the Public Health Agency of Canada issued the advice for travellers citing the danger of the Zika virus.

It's a level-2 warning updated on Sept 25 recommending Canadians to 'practice special health precautions' while travelling in affected countries, according to government website www.travel.gc.ca.

The non-essential travel alert has been in place for over a year since the Gulshan cafe attack in 2016, and now the health warning is added to the advisory.

'Avoid non-essential travel' is the third of alert categories after 'exercise normal security practice' and 'exercise a high degree of caution.'

'Avoid travel' is the highest level of warning, and Bangladesh is placed just one level above that warning.

The alert level 'avoid non-essential travel' means there are specific safety and security concerns that could put one at risk.

"You should reconsider your need to travel to the country, territory or region. If you are already in the country, territory or region, you should reconsider whether or not you really need to be there. If not, you should consider leaving while it is still safe to do so.

"It is up to you to decide what 'non-essential travel' means, based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with a country, territory or region, and other factors," the advisory added.

About the Zika virus, it said "the infection can be sexually transmitted, and men can carry the Zika virus in their semen for up to 6 months".

Parents should be aware of the risk so they can make informed travel decisions and to take appropriate precautions.

The authorities have also put a step-by-step guide for both male and female travellers on what to do before, during and after the travel.