It is no secret that the CDC has issued a travel warning for pregnant women considering traveling to infected areas of the world. In fact many airlines are offering refunds for travelers wanting to change plans based on the Zika Virus. It’s not clear how Zika is impacting travel and specifically families who are traveling. It is clear that the virus is spreading rapidly and to some of my favorite places to travel!
Zika Infected Areas
The most infected areas are shown here:
Zika infected areas include [but are not limited to]:
- Cape Verde
- Caribbean
- Central America
- South America
- Mexico
- Samoa
Infection and Prevention
It seems only 1 in 5 adults infected with the Zika Virus show symptoms which are reported to be flu-like. The biggest issue is for pregnant women because there Zika could increase the risk of birth defects in unborn children. But what about babies? Young kids? Teens? The list goes on.
Since Zika is transmitted by mosquitos it is important to prevent being bitten. How do you do that? Outside Magazine online has some great suggestions:
- Use repellents that contain at least 20% deet
- Cover up with clothing
- Stay inside at high mosquito times of day [dawn/dusk]
- Use permethrin-treated clothing
Also, Consumer Reports just published a review of mosquito repellents that best protect against Zika. These are all ways to control your exposure to mosquitos and Zika virus. And the CDC has plenty of reading on the issue including an CDC FAQ page.
Will Zika impact your family travel plans?