Understanding The Threat Of Zika Virus

“Certainly the cases that have caught people’s eye are is the specific birth defect that is seen in Latin American and South American countries where babies have been born with smaller heads than expected”, says Dr. Robinson.

United Airlines is allowing customers to cancel or postpone travel to all areas mentioned by the CDC. The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness.

The first Zika case in Europe has been detected in Denmark with a Danish tourist contracting the virus during his stay in south and central America. The World Health Organization describes the infection as an “explosive pandemic potential”.

She’s recently canceled trips for about six travelers, including couples, because one partner was in the early stages of pregnancy, she said.

Women who are not pregnant, or not planning to become pregnant, don’t need to be too concerned, said Dr. Meghan May, an associate professor of microbiology and infectious disease at the University of New England.

Though Connecticut and the rest of the country could see a spike in cases as residents return from traveling, “we will see very little local transmission, except perhaps along the Gulf Coast, the southeast coastlines, Texas, etc.”, Ross said.

Some airlines have began offering refunds to travelers bound for destinations that have confirmed cases of the Zika virus for the safety of passengers. If the disease spreads as widely as anticipated, countries with strict anti-abortion laws such as El Salvador may require a policy change. A spokesman declined to expand on the advisory. Others who don’t want to fly to outbreak zones can get a credit with fees waived.

Airlines aren’t the only ones loosening policies.

Pregnant women will be allowed to reschedule cruises or change to another itinerary in a region that is not affected by Zika. The US government recommended then against nonessential travel to the region, and federal health officials met planes, cargo ships and cruise ships arriving from China in their effort to contain the spread of SARS.

Both United Airlines and JetBlue say they will let people flying to the impacted areas rebook their flight for a later date or get a refund.

“Zika is not airborne, so there is not a danger of it being transmitted between passengers”, American’s President Scott Kirby said on a call with investors Friday.

Public health officials like New York City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett have been warning people about traveling to countries where the Zika virus is prevalent. This week, the CDC added the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic to the travel alert.