Don't get pregnant until 2018, El Salvador's government has warned women – a tall ask in a country where access to contraception is often poor. But this advice is being doled out because of the Zika virus pandemic – a rare tropical disease which is spreading in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Carried by mosquitos, Zika virus causes a mild illness in those infected, but it is now suspected to also cause an unusual birth defect where babies are born with abnormally small heads. Here's what you need to know:
1. Why is Zika virus in the news at the moment?
In Brazil, there's been increasing evidence linking Zika infection in pregnant women with microcephaly, a condition where babies are born with abnormally small heads and brain damage, but this connection is still being investigated. A small number of babies who died had the virus in their brain and no other explanation for the surge in the condition has been suggested yet, hence the concern.
Update 14/04/2016: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have now said there is no longer any doubt: Zika does cause the birth defect microcephaly. It confirms that mothers who are infected with the virus are at risk of giving birth to babies with abnormally small heads and brain defects.
As Brazil is hosting the Olympics in Rio in August, people are worried thousands intending to travel to the event will be affected. And the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that Zika virus will likely affect the warmer regions of North America in the future. In the Americas, only Canada and Chile are free of Aedes moquitos, so the virus could feasibly spread anywhere else in the region, like the US.
2. Have there been cases of Zika virus in the UK?
Yes, four Britons have contracted the virus, but only after travelling to South and Central America. We don't have Aedes in the UK because our country isn't warm enough for the mosquito to breed.
3. What are the symptoms of Zika?
Most people who contract the virus don't get sick at all, but if they do get symptoms they're usually mild. These are the ones most commonly reported are :
- A low-grade fever
- Joint paint
- Muscle pain
- Eye pain
These can easily be missed, so if you've been in the affected region recently and are concerned, see your GP.
4. Is Zika virus contagious?
No, you can't catch Zika virus through direct contact with an infected person. It's spread through mosquito bites, though a small number of cases have been thought to occur through sexual transmission or transfer from pregnant mother to foetus via the placenta.
5. I'm pregnant or want to get pregnant – should I worry about Zika?
Only if you're travelling to one of the affected regions because there is some evidence that women who contract the virus during any point of pregnancy have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with microcephaly. If you're pregnant or trying to be, it's best to postpone travel to any region where a known outbreak of the Zika virus is happening.
For regular updates about the countries to avoid, check out the WHO's bulletin.
6. How can I reduce my risk of contracting Zika?
There aren't any vaccines or medicines to prevent Zika infection right now, but you can reduce your risk of infection if you're travelling in one of the affected countries by making sure you don't get bitten by an Aedes mosquito. They're most active during daylight. You should:
- Use an insect repellent that contains DEET on exposed skin before you apply your sunscreen. This product is safe to use during pregnancy.
- Wear loose clothing which covers your arms and legs
- Use mosquito nets when they're available
7. How can the Zika virus be stopped?
The only way to properly fight Zika is by clearing stagnant water where mosquitoes breed in affected countries, and by protecting against mosquito bites.