If a pregnant woman is infected by the virus, the baby could be born with microcephaly.
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Airlines are making it easier for travelers to make Zika-related changes: United, American, Delta and JetBlue are offering rebookings or refunds to customers scheduled to travel to areas where the virus is being transmitted.
French Health Minister Marisol Touraine on Thursday “strongly” recommended that pregnant women avoid travels to Martinique, Guyana and Guadeloupe where cases of Zika virus have been reported.
Doctor Angela Rocha shows brain scans of a baby born with microcephaly at the Oswaldo Cruz Hospital in Recife, Brazil, Thursday.
There have been two cases of Zika virus confirmed in B.C. and a local pregnant woman is speaking out about the trouble she is having trying to get a refund on a trip to the Dominican Republic.
The World Health Organization calls the spread of the Zika virus “explosive,” prompting the call for a special meeting Monday to discuss whether the outbreak should be declared an worldwide health emergency. But the general public, she said, is seeking more information about whether they should cancel their trips or not.
Zika is the latest worry for pregnant Venezuelans, who already search high and low for scarce folic acids, medical equipment and medicines, and even diapers to have in stock for when they give birth.
Cruise lines have begun waiving cancellation penalties for some customers booked on voyages to the Caribbean and other regions affected by the Zika virus.
The mosquito-borne Zika virus is now present in 23 countries and territories in the Americas. United airline passengers can rebook or get a refund.
In adults, the virus can cause mild fever, rash and joint pain lasting several days to weeks.
The virus could enter the US through travel, Osorio said.
American is offering pregnant customers, who appear most vulnerable to the virus, and their companions refunds for tickets to Zika-impacted regions.
Denell Falk, president of Civilized Adventures in Inglewood, says with the extensive media coverage of the illness, people are in the know.
Owner Bonnie Lee says her agency, Travel Leaders in Albertville, specializes in booking destinationweddings, which tend to involve younger people.
“Our citizens will travel to those countries, our citizens will be affected by it, our people are at risk if the mosquito carrying these diseases comes to Connecticut”, Blumenthal said.
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The CDC advises pregnant women to ask their doctor before traveling to an area where Zika has been reported.
