Health and Fitness : Should you reconsider travel plans due to Zika virus?

Getting out of the cold and gloom of winter by enjoying a cruise or vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico sounds great, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued Level 2 travel alerts recommending “enhanced precautions” for countries in the Caribbean and Mexico. Dr. Maggie Mangold of Virginia Gay’s Vinton Family Medical Clinic suggests that pregnant travelers may want to reconsider their plans.

“I’m very concerned when I hear people say they think a resort will be safe,” Maggie says. “Mosquitoes don’t respect property lines and while I understand changing plans can be disappointing and expensive, I’m not sure it’s worth the risk of being infected while pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Children with microcephaly often have a lower life expectancy and face significant challenges in attaining normal brain functioning.”

Zika is a virus transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. Adults often have mild symptoms and only 1 in 5 of those infected experience any symptoms at all. Children infected in the womb aren't as lucky.

The specific warnings from the CDC related to pregnancy are:

• Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.
• Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.

Specific CDC recommendations to avoid mosquito bites include:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535. Always use as directed.
  • Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant and nursing women and children older than 2 months when used according to the product label. Oil of lemon eucalyptus products should not be used on children under 3 years of age.
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents).
• Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.

Research into the link between Zika infections and a birth defect known as microcephaly began after a surge in microcephaly cases in Brazil. Research indicates that Zika probably causes the birth defect. Children born with this condition have very small heads and their brains are damaged.

As reported by the CDC, Brazilian health authorities have reported more than 3,500 microcephaly cases in Brazil between October 2015 and January 2016. Some of the affected infants have had a severe type of microcephaly and some have died. The full spectrum of outcomes that might be associated with infection during pregnancy and the factors that might increase risk to the fetus are not yet fully understood.

The complete list of countries currently under the CDC travel alert include: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.