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6 Things Every Traveler Should Know About Zika

The Zika virus has become a problem for travelers across the globe and it doesn’t matter where they are traveling from, but instead their target destination. Recent outbreaks have led thousands of travelers to alter their plans ahead of time and even cancel them in the fear of contracting Zika. Here are six things every traveler should know about Zika before taking that next trip.

What are the At-Risk Countries?

Not all travel plans have to be changed or canceled when it comes to Zika. The virus continues to spread in warm-weather climates in the Caribbean and Latin America. Zika is carried by the Aedes mosquito, which tends to bite more during the daytime than at night. Brazil has been the hotbed for the Zika virus, but more than 30 cases have been reported in the United States by people who returned to the country after traveling to warm-weather climates. The climates in Florida, Hawaii and along the Gulf Coast have been warm enough for the mosquitos to live.

Latest Developments

The latest developments surround pregnant women or women trying to get pregnant. The Zika virus has been found to cause birth defects, which is why travel warnings have been issued for women who are pregnant or want to get pregnant and are considering traveling to Latin America or the Caribbean. $1.8 billion in emergency funding was authorized by the White House in 2016 to combat the virus.

Current Travel Advisories

The current travel advisories related to the Zika virus surround pregnant women. The warnings advise against pregnant women traveling to Latin American and the Caribbean. The CDC recommends pregnant women who have traveled to any country where Zika was present in the last three months consult with their physician.

How to Prevent Contraction of Zika

Right now there is no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus. The best way to prevent contraction is to avoid traveling to affected countries. If you decide to travel, bring plenty of bug spray, mosquito nets and clothing that covers most of your body.

Symptoms of the Zika Virus

The symptoms of the Zika virus are flu-like in the worst cases. In almost 80 percent of cases, people infected do not exhibit any symptoms. If it is a bad case, symptoms will begin to show between the third and seventh day that the virus is in the body.

Should I Cancel the Trip?

The issue with Zika has not reached dire levels where you should consider canceling your trip. Educating yourself on the virus and how to prevent contraction can make your trip less stressful. Consider purchasing trip insurance when you book the vacation in the event you decide to cancel.

Contact the experienced staff at Tick Killz today for more information on the Zika virus.

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