I’ve had a few calls from clients over the past few days who have been concerned about traveling to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean because of the Zika Virus. The virus, which was found to be prevalent mainly in Latin America–specifically El Salvador and Brazil–is transmitted through infected mosquitos and could pose a big threat to pregnant women or women who are trying to get pregnant. Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization cautioned there was no definitive link between Zika and these disorders but sees a legitimate reason for concern. The Centers for Disease Control agrees but concurs that more studies are needed surrounding this virus.
Stay Protected
So what does this mean for travelers? Well, the CDC is recommending that pregnant women postpone traveling to any area where the Zika virus is known to have been transmitted. If you are trying to get pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, it is also recommended that you chat with your health care professional before traveling to any of these areas: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Barbados and Bolivia. For the most recent information about Zika-infected areas, visit the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/
Until more is known about the Zika virus, the CDC recommends taking the following precautions:
- Use insect repellents
- When used as directed, insect repellents are safe and effective for everyone, including pregnant and nursing women.
- Most insect repellents can be used on children. Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus in children under the age of three years.
- Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide long lasting protection.
- If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
- Do not spray insect repellent on the skin under your clothing.
- Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing.
- Always follow the label instructions when using insect repellent or sunscreen.
- When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
- Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.
Be Proactive
Many airlines are now allowing people to cancel or reschedule trips to Zika-infested areas without paying penalties or incurred fees. Travel Market Reports had the following information for travelers:
American Airlines: “American offers full refunds to travelers who provide a doctor’s note explaining that they are unable to travel to one of four cities—San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa, Panama City, or Guatemala City—because of pregnancy.”
United Airlines: “United said it will allow fliers traveling to regions listed by the CDC to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund.”
British Airlines: “British Airways said any pregnant travelers with flights to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, or Cancun can change their booking free of charge through February.”
Both LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines, which are Latin American airline carriers, both announced similar policies.
*As of publishing this article, Jet Blue and Delta have also been added to the list of airlines that are offering flexible travel policies to people traveling in Zika-infested areas.
Moving Forward
If you’re not pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, the Zika virus is not known to pose life threatening consequences at this time. I would suggest contacting both your physician and travel agent if you are concerned about an upcoming trip.
I would also recommend purchasing travel insurance for your future travels, as you never know what life may have in store for you. Travel insurance is more affordable than you may think and can end up saving you alot of time, money, and stress in the long run.