Holidays are coming and you may be considering traveling to a country in Latin America, the region most affected by the Zika epidemic. Brazil is the country with the highest number of registered cases and since Rio will host the 2016 Summer Olympics, an increase in visitors is expected in the coming months.
Since there is still no vaccine for the prevention of Zika and that its contagion during pregnancy is related to microcephaly in the newborn, If you are pregnant and consider traveling to countries with Zika, it is important that you keep these recommendations in mind before taking a decision.
Affected countries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the countries where cases of Zika virus infection have been reported to date are:
Caribbean: Aruba; Barbados; Bonaire; Cuba; Curacao; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Pomegranate; Guadeloupe; Haiti; Jamaica; Martinique Island; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a territory of the USA. UU .; San Bartolome; St. lucia; San Martin; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Sint Maarten; Trinidad and Tobago; Virgin Islands (USA)
Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.
North America: Mexico.
Pacific Islands: American Samoa, Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga.
South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.
Africa: Cape Verde.
In addition to these countries where there have been outbreaks in recent months, there is a list of countries with endemic Zika in Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands. If you consult the information for travelers of the CDC you will find precise guidelines for each of the countries.
Travel or not travel?
The first question you should ask yourself is if it is necessary to travel at this time or if you can postpone the trip until the virus remits or after the birth of your baby.
The Ministry of Health and Equality of Spain, in its sheet of travel recommendations to countries affected by Zika, advises:
It is recommended to pregnant women or who are trying to get pregnant and who plan to travel to areas affected by Zika virus transmission Postpone your trips if they are not essential.
In case it is not possible to delay the trip, they must take the necessary precautionary measures to avoid mosquito bites. Insect repellents containing DEET - Diethyltoluamide - up to 50% concentrations, picaridin or IR3535 are safe for pregnant women.
If you travel, how to prevent contagion?
If you make the decision to travel pregnant to countries affected with Zika virus, you should take extreme precautions to avoid mosquito bites and their possible spread of the virus to the baby.
Use insect repellent
Use insect repellents registered with the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) containing DEET, picaridine, lemon eucalyptus oil (OLE) or IR3535. Always use them according to the instructions.
Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridine and IR3535 they are safe for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, as well as for children older than 2 months if used in accordance with the product instructions.
Products containing lemon eucalyptus oil should not be used in children under 3 years.
Cover exposed skin
Whenever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and hat. Put your shirt inside the pants and the pants inside the socks for added protection.
If you also use sunscreen, apply it first, let it dry and then apply the repellent.
For added safety, wear clothing and equipment (such as boots, pants, socks and tents) treated with permethrin.
Mosquitoes outside
Stay in hotel rooms and places with air conditioning or that have mosquito nets on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
If insects enter where you are sleeping, sleep in a bed with mosquito net treated with permethrin That goes under the mattress. When you are outdoors, use area repellents (such as spirals) that contain moetoflutrin or aletrine.
Use an indoor spray insecticide formulated to kill mosquitoes in the areas where they rest.
Throw away any items that accumulate water such as tires, buckets, pots, toys, swimming pools, bird drinkers, pot dishes and garbage containers. Mosquitoes lay their eggs near the water.
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More information | CDC
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