On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated a number of travel notices for Zika virus-affected countries. Many of which are very popular vacation destinations.
These include countries in the Americas to include Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
The Caribbean Islands of Barbados, Curaçao, The Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In addition, travel notices have been update for the following Pacific Islands reporting local transmission of Zika virus infection: American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga and across the Atlantic in Cape Verde.
Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travelers to the above areas protect themselves from mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is possible, so travelers are also encouraged to use condoms.
Federal health officials also recommend women who are pregnant (in any trimester) to consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.
If you have a male partner who lives in or has traveled to an area where Zika transmission is ongoing, either abstain from sex or use condoms consistently and correctly for the duration of your pregnancy.
- Zika in Latin America: Official estimates two or three million cases
- Mexico reports 50 Zika cases in January, most in Chiapas and Oaxaca
- Cape Verde: 7,000 Zika cases, No microcephaly