Two cases of Zika virus infection have been detected in News South Wales, Australia, local media reported on Tuesday.

Fairfax Media reported that the residents had recently travelled in the Caribbean before heading back to Sydney.

Sky News quoted Dr. Vicky Sheppeard, Director, Communicable Diseases, at NSW Health, as saying that Zika virus infection was confirmed on January 29 in two NSW residents who had recently travelled in the Caribbean.

"It is very unlikely that Zika virus established local transmission in NSW as the mosquitoes that spread the infection are not established here, although they are found in some parts of north Queensland," Sheppeard said.

The health department said the residents had mild cases of the virus and have since recovered.

The World Health Organisation has declared the mosquito-borne virus a global emergency following an outbreak in Brazil. It has been linked to thousands of severe birth defects.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) had issued travel advise, urging Australians who will be travelling to some Latin American and Carribean countries to protect themselves by taking measures to prevent mosquito bites.

DFAT also warns pregnant women or those who are actively seeking to get pregnant to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.

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