The CDC has issued a travel advisory for pregnant women advising that they not travel to some countries in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. It has been severe enough that some of the countries have advised women living there to stop getting pregnant / having children until the outbreak can be contained.
General Zika Virus Information (from CDC website)
(link to CDC page)
Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.
In response, CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
Zika-Affected Areas:
(link to CDC Zika-Affected Areas page)
Prior to 2015, Zika virus outbreaks have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infections in Brazil.
Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries.
Zika virus will continue to spread and it will be difficult to determine how the virus will spread over time.
Locally transmitted Zika virus has been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
With the recent outbreaks, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase.
These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.
Our Advice to our patients:
Since this is a mosquito-borne illness and since there are political considerations associated with issuing travel advisories, we are recommending that our patients not travel to countries on the advisory list but also not to travel to any other countries in these general geographic regions.
To get the latest news on Zika Travel Information, please review CDC Travel Notifications.
Precautions against Mosquito Bites
Lastly, although at this time it is not believed that there are mosquitoes in the US that carry the virus this may become an issue in the coming month's particularity in states like Florida, Texas and other states in the southwest. Thus as we get into warmer months taking precautions against mosquito bites will be important.
Here is a link to the CDC information on the safety of insect repellents: Insect Repellent Use and Safety (CDC)
