Zika in the Americas

Sporadic cases of Zika continue to be reported by various countries.

• In Mexico, 98 infected people have been reported from the states of Jalisco, Morelos, and Sinaloa.
• In Brazil, a total of 9,071 infected people has been reported. The states of Minas Gerais and Parana have reported some cases.

The absence of reports from other countries does not mean there is no transmission of the virus in those countries previously affected by the epidemic.

Advice

Because the intensity of transmission of this virus is far below previous epidemic levels, the risk of exposure to this virus may low at this time. The risk of exposure for the general traveller in any particular location is difficult to estimate since so many infected people have no symptoms and are not recorded officially. There may be many infected people in the community. 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.

This virus is the cause of microcephaly (small brain) and other neurological abnormalities in newborn infants when the mother is infected during pregnancy. The World Health Organization advises that pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks.