Queensland health authorities have started spraying mosquitoes around a Rockhampton hotel after a confirmed case of the imported Zika virus.
A man tested positive for the disease on Wednesday after recently returning from South America.
The mosquito that carries the disease, Aedes aegypti, has been detected near the Globe Hotel in Depot Hill, where the man had spent time.
Acting Queensland chief health officer Sonya Bennett said Zika could spread if one of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes bit an infected person, contracted the virus, and went on to bite someone else.
While the man's virus was not caught locally, and there have been no reported cases of locally-acquired Zika virus in Queensland, precautionary measures are being taken.
"Spraying is currently taking place near the hotel," Dr Bennett said.
"Tomorrow we plan to initiative a public health declaration, which will enable us to spray in the yards of homes and businesses within a 200m radius."
The Zika virus usually triggers mild symptoms but has been linked to microcephaly - a condition characterised by abnormally small heads - in babies born to infected mothers in Central and South America.
Health officials will be door-knocking the Rockhampton area on Thursday to speak with pregnant women.
"Our message to them is to ensure there are no breeding areas for the mosquito around their homes, to use mosquito surface spray inside their homes and to use mosquito repellent containing DEET on their bodies," Dr Bennett said.
"Any pregnant woman in the affected area who is concerned should also visit their GP to discuss their options for testing."
Concerned residents are also being encouraged to visit their GP.
"If anyone in the affected area is unwell and concerned they should visit their GP to discuss testing for the disease," Dr Bennett said.
Earlier on Wednesday, parliament heard that seven Queenslanders have the Zika virus, including a pregnant woman, who'd all contracted the mosquito-borne illness overseas.
A media conference on the latest Zika virus case is expected to take place on Thursday morning.
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