Zika virus in South America - update

In Argentina, 2 locally acquired infections were confirmed in the provinces of Salta (one case) and Chaco (one case). In Paraguay, the trend of suspected cases increased from the end of 2016 through January 2017. In Peru, there was an increase in the number of cases reported in the month of January as a result of an outbreak in the department of Loreto. Cases have also been reported in new districts of the departments of Loreto, San Martín, and Ucayali.

In other countries of South America, the number of cases reported remains stable with a weekly average of 396 cases (353 suspected and 43 confirmed) in the last 4 weeks.

Advice

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.

There is strong scientific evidence that this virus is the cause of microcephaly (small brain) and other neurological abnormalities in newborn infants. The World Health Organization advises that pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks. Pregnant women whose sexual partners live in or travel to areas with Zika virus outbreaks should ensure safe sexual practices or abstain from sex for the duration of their pregnancy.