CDC issues Zika virus warning for pregnant travelers to Latin America, Caribbean

“Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, pregnant women should consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing”, the CDC report states.

It does “not spread directly from person to person”, the statement said.

Recently, the virus has been reported in the Americas, with the first Brazilian case reported in May 2015.

Three Britons have been infected with Zika virus after travelling to South and Central America, Public Health England (PHE) has said.

Image: A health worker fumigates the Altos del Cerro neighbourhood as part of preventive measures against the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in Soyapango, El Salvador January 21, 2016.

Several South American countries have warned women against falling pregnant after an outbreak of the Zika virus.

Though Zika virus has not conclusively been linked to microcephaly, the rise in the virus coincides with the number of infants being born with microcephaly.

In May 2015, a case was diagnosed in Brazil and, since then, it has spread rapidly.

“We’d like to suggest to all the women of fertile age that they take steps to plan their pregnancies, and avoid getting pregnant between this year and next”, said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza.

Symptoms of the Zika virus include mild fever and a skin rash. The connection to Zika is still being investigated, and health officials note there are many causes of the condition, including genetics, and exposure during pregnancy to alcohol and certain germs and toxic chemicals.

The Zika virus is now rampaging through the Americas, particularly in Brazil, and can cause children to be born with microcephaly – an abnormally small head and brain.

Travellers to these areas are advised to tuse repellent and wearing long sleeves and long trousers, to avoid mosquito bites.

The Salvadorean government decided to make the announcement because 5,397 cases of the Zika virus had been detected in El Salvador in 2015 and the first few days of this year.

There is no antiviral treatment for the virus and no vaccine to prevent infection.

In the Brazil cases, most of the mothers apparently were infected during the first trimester, but there is some evidence the birth defect can occur later in pregnancy, CDC officials have said.