Zika virus in Cape Verde Islands

An epidemic of Zika virus in Cape Verde has been reported to the World Health Organization. Between the end of September and early December, a total of 4,744 people are suspected of being infected with this virus. Suspected cases were reported from several municipalities on Santiago Island, as well as others islands, including Maio, Fogo and Boa Vista. Most of the cases (about 80 %) have been reported by the municipality of Praia.

Neuvo

Travellers can avoid the inconvenience of this illness by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Since infection with this virus usually causes a rather mild illness similar to flu, there may be many cases in the community that do not seek medical attention and are not reported to health authorities. Until the association between infection with this virus and the increase in cases of microcephaly (small brain) in newborns in Brazil is clarified, women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites. This condition has not been reported in Cape Verde.