CDC adds four countries to Zika virus-related travel guidance

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued last week a Zika virus travel notice for Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, and the Solomon Islands.

The CDC’s travel notices warn individuals, particularly pregnant women, to practice enhanced precautions when traveling to specific countries with high-threat of infection, providing updates as more information becomes available.

Zika virus is typically spread through mosquito bites, although it can also be spread through sexual transmission as well. Many who are infected with Zika may not show any symptoms, however, those who do show signs of the virus often report fevers, rashes, joint pain, and red eyes.

The agency said pregnant women, or women looking to become pregnant, should avoid travel to any Zika-infected places entirely as the virus can severely harm fetal health and development. If travel is necessary, the CDC recommends that individuals first talk to their healthcare providers and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites. Sexual partners should also use condoms for every interaction or completely refrain from sex during pregnancy.

The travel notice said all travelers to Zika-infected areas should practice extreme caution to avoid mosquito bites and to tell their healthcare professionals of where they have traveled should they begin to show any signs of Zika infection.

The agency also noted their research suggested that Zika is strongly associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) but that only a small percentage of Zika-infected patients also get infected with GBS.