An op-ed by Dr. Gary Brunette, Chief of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health Branch
The New Year is often a time when we focus on our health. We make resolutions to increase our physical activity and watch what we eat. How about being more aware of travel-related illnesses like Zika and taking steps to prevent them? That should be on your list, too. Whether you just returned from celebrating Three Kings with family and friends in Latin America or the Caribbean, or are planning a trip for Spring Break, now is the time to prevent Zika.
This an especially important time of year to remind pregnant women to protect their health and not travel to areas with a risk of Zika. Becoming infected with Zika during pregnancy can cause microcephaly and other severe birth defects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants you to know that Zika virus is still a major public health concern in many parts of the world. CDC recommends that U.S. travelers who are planning to visit Latin America or the Caribbean take action now to prevent contracting or spreading Zika, especially travelers who are planning to start a family in the near future. And those who recently returned from the region, if you are not feeling well, you should see a doctor and mention that you have recently traveled.
If you are traveling to an area with a risk of Zika, whether it’s the beach, countryside, or city, avoid mosquito bites, Pregnant women should not travel to these areas. If you’re planning to conceive and you or your partner has just returned from an area with a risk of Zika, you should consider waiting before getting pregnant since you could be infected with Zika but not have any symptoms.
Here’s what you can do before, during, and after your trip to Latin America or the Caribbean to prevent Zika.
Prevention Starts with Packing
Zika is primarily spread through mosquito bites, so insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and long pants are must-bring items. Pack an EPA-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. If you’ll be sleeping in a room without door or window screens or air conditioning, pack a bed net. For further protection, you can spray clothes and accessories—like hats and bags—with permethrin, except in Puerto Rico, where mosquitoes have become resistant to it. Because Zika can also be sexually transmitted, prevent the spread by bringing and using condoms. Before you leave, visit cdc.gov/travel to get the latest Zika information for your destination.
Keep Your Trip Zika-free
The best way to prevent Zika is to avoid mosquito bites. CDC recommends that you follow these tips during your trip:
Use insect repellent every day and follow the label’s instructions. EPA-registered insect repellents are effective and safe, even for women who are breastfeeding.
Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever possible.
Sleep in rooms with air conditioning and door and window screens. If your room doesn’t have those features, use a bed net.
Check the product’s instructions before using on young children.
Don’t use repellant on babies younger than 2 months. Protect them by draping mosquito netting over their carrier or car seat.
Protect Others after You Return
Even the most careful travelers can get Zika. Talk to your doctor if you develop a fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes, or muscle pain. Because you could have Zika but not show any symptoms, you should continue to use insect repellent for 3 weeks after your return. This prevents passing the Zika virus to mosquitoes that could infect other people.
Because Zika can be sexually transmitted, stop the potential spread of Zika and protect your partner after your trip by using condoms.
· Women: Use condoms or do not have sex for at least 2 months after your return or after symptoms start (if you have symptoms).
· Men: Use condoms or do not have sex for at least 6 months after your return or after symptoms start (if you have symptoms). This timeframe is longer because Zika can stay in semen longer than in other body fluids.
If you are planning pregnancy, wait to conceive—2 months for women who travel, or 6 months for male travelers or couples who travel together. If you travel to an area with risk of Zika and your partner is pregnant, use condoms during the pregnancy.
Zika should stop travel plans for pregnant women. For everyone else, Zika shouldn’t stop your travel plans if you prepare and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For more tips on what you can do before, during, and after your trip and to download resources, visit cdc.gov/ViajoSinZika or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636), TTY: 888-232-6348.
nmiller@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5158, @naseemmiller
