Zika virus in the Caribbean - update

In Aruba, an increasing trend in suspected and confirmed cases was reported earlier this year. In the last 4 weeks, there was a weekly average of 53 suspected and confirmed cases. In Curaçao, there was an increasing trend in the number of suspected and confirmed cases late in 2016. In Guadeloupe and Martinique, a few sporadic cases were confirmed in the past 5 weeks.

While other countries and territories in the Caribbean continue to report cases, there is a decreasing trend overall with a weekly average of 340 cases 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.