Australia to help Pacific fight Zika

The Turnbull government has announced it will contribute up to $500,000 to Tonga and other Pacific countries to help stop the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus.

The announcement comes after an increase in the number of suspected cases in Tonga, sparking concerns that an outbreak in the Pacific would threaten Australia.

"Stopping the spread of Zika in the Pacific is essential to protecting Australia from the virus, which has seen a resurgence in our region," Minister for the Pacific Steven Ciobo said in a statement.