Zika virus in Central and South American countries - update

In 2015, Zika virus appeared in Brazil and it has been spreading rapidly to other countries. The world Health Organization expects this virus to spread to many, if not all, Latin American and Caribbean countries in 2016. The risk of exposure to this virus will continue to vary from place to place and time to time, but it may be high in some localities. Countries that are reporting increasing numbers of cases include:

Mexico: locally acquired infections have been reported in the states of Chiapas, Nuevo Leon and Jalisco. El Salvador Honduras: The Mario Rivas Hospital, San Pedro Sula reports increase in Zika patients from 10 per day to 20 per day. Nicaragua: 2 cases in Managua Brazil: infected people reported in all states, except Amapa, Goias, and Minas Gerais. Seriously affected states include Pernambuco, Mato Grosso. Colombia: most cases reported in Caribbean region. Ecuador Guyana French Guyana Suriname

Advice

The absence of reports does not mean that there is no Zika virus transmission in other countries such as Venezuela. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities.

The risk of exposure to this virus in many of these countries is currently low. In most countries, small numbers of cases have been detected. However, as the virus spreads in the mosquito population, the risk will increase.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for this infection. Travellers can minimize the risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Since infection with this virus usually causes no symptoms or a rather mild illness similar to flu, there may be many infected people in the community who are unaware of being infected, do not seek medical attention and are not reported to health authorities. There is growing scientific evidence that this virus may be the cause of microcephaly (small brain) in newborn infants. As a precautionary measure, women who are pregnant in their first trimester should consider postponing travel to countries where this virus is spreading or, at a minimum take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.