Is Traveling To South America Safe Zika Virus?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued travel advisories to travelers regarding the Zika virus, advising against travel to areas with active Zika Travel Health Notices. If travel is unavoidable, it is advised to follow recommendations to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission during and after travel. The latest Zika risk map can be found on the CDC’s Travelers’ Health website.

Zika virus is typically caught by being bitten by an infected mosquito, but it can also be transmitted through sexual contact with someone who is infected. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been identified throughout most of the Americas and other regions with established Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Infections were detected in travellers from active Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Canada issued a travel advisory following the emergence of the Oropouche virus, also known as the sloth virus, transmitted through insect bites. Travel and clinical advice on Zika includes assessing pregnant women following travel, epidemiology, symptoms, and transmission.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports continued transmission of Zika virus in countries in the Americas and the Caribbean, with birth defects in babies born to infected parents being a main reason not to travel to these areas. Vacation hotspots such as Cuba, Baja, Ecuador, the Galápagos Islands, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru are on the CDC’s watchlist due to Zika.

The overall risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus is considered low, and pregnant women who become infected with the virus can transmit the virus.

Is South America at risk for Zika?

Brazil recorded over 35, 000 Zika virus infections in 2023, with 2016 having the highest number of cases in the country. In 2022, over 40% of Zika cases in Brazil occurred in Rio Grande do Norte, a northeastern state. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 36, 700 Zika virus infections were reported in 2023, down from 40, 200 cases in 2016. Brazil was the country with the highest number of Zika infections in Latin America as of 2023.

Tropical diseases in Latin America are prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, with Brazil accounting for the highest number of 402, 000 cases of Chikungunya and 4. 5 million cases of dengue. Brazil also recorded the highest number of suspected and confirmed cases of malaria in the region in 2022.

In terms of Zika virus, Brazil recorded over 35, 000 cases in 2023, with 2016 having the highest number of cases. Rio Grande do Norte had the highest number of confirmed cases of congenital Zika virus syndrome (CZS), a range of birth defects caused by Zika infection during pregnancy.

Is it safe to travel to South America while pregnant?

Pregnant women should avoid traveling to areas with malaria risk, such as Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If you have any questions, consult your ob-gyn. If you don’t have an ob-gyn, find a doctor nearby. This information is an educational aid for the public, offering current health information and opinions. It is not a statement of the standard of care, does not explain all proper treatments, or is a substitute for physician advice.

What country has the most Zika cases?

Zika, a virus, has been confirmed in all countries and territories of the Americas since its first detection in Brazil in 2015. However, only 89 cases were recorded between 2014 and 2023, with Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela leading the list. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reports that Zika has a significantly lower incidence than other arboviruses, such as dengue or chikungunya, with only 27, 000 cases recorded during the same period.

Thais dos Santos, Advisor on Surveillance and Control of Arboviral Neglected Diseases at PAHO, emphasizes the need to link surveillance for acute Zika infections with other neurological syndromes to better understand the disease and take preventive measures.

Can I travel to Mexico while pregnant in 2024?

Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider about travel suitability and potential Zika virus risks. They should avoid mosquito bites, especially during daytime, as there is no vaccination or medication to prevent Zika virus infection.

Is it safe to fly to America when pregnant?

Air travel before 36 weeks of pregnancy is generally safe for non-pregnant individuals. However, pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before flying to discuss potential complications that could worsen due to air travel or require emergency care. These complications include a history of miscarriage, severe anemia, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, preeclampsia, and multiple pregnancies.

The length of the flight and the airline’s policy on international flights may also affect the safety of pregnant individuals. It is essential to inform your provider about the flight distance and check with your airline before making travel arrangements.

Is it safe to go to Argentina with Zika?

Argentina has a history of Zika Virus transmission, but there is no ongoing outbreak. Limited information exists, and new cases may be delayed. Pregnant travelers should take anti-mosquito bite measures during the day and seek counseling from a travel medicine specialist. Zika Virus infection is caused by the Flaviviridae family and is primarily transmitted by infected daytime biting female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

The virus is present in Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, tropical areas of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa. Long-term travelers and aid or missionary workers in endemic areas are at greater risk.

Is Zika still a thing in 2024?

The World Health Organization is preparing to submit a peer-reviewed manuscript for the 2024 update of its global epidemiology of Zika virus transmission. The update will provide a comprehensive overview of the virus’s transmission and congenital Zika syndrome worldwide. The map of countries with Zika transmission and list of countries with Zika and vectors has been updated to reflect changes since the last epidemiologic update in 2022. Zika transmission persists in several countries but has generally been at low levels throughout 2018 to the present.

Three countries have been added to the list of countries with evidence of autochthonous, mosquito-borne transmission, and two countries have been added to the list of countries with established Aedes aegypti populations but no documented Zika transmission. The findings emphasize the importance of sustained vigilance for early detection, response, risk monitoring, vector control, and the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.

Can you travel to Colombia when pregnant?

Pregnant women should consult their doctor about their travel plans due to the risk of malaria in areas below 800m, including Bogotá. Anti-malarial medication is recommended for these areas. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with ‘express kidnapping’ being a common occurrence. Resisted individuals may be held overnight for a second withdrawal. Public transportation can be vulnerable, so use a licensed taxi or ask for help from staff at hotels, restaurants, or entertainment venues. Hikers may be robbed at gunpoint, so hiring a reputable tour guide can reduce the risk.

Can I travel to Brazil while pregnant?

Pregnant women in Brazil should avoid traveling to areas below 6, 500 feet, consult a doctor if necessary, and follow strict mosquito prevention measures during their trip.

Which South American countries are Zika free?

Chile is a safe destination for Zika-free travel in South America, as it has no mosquitoes transmitting the virus. The country offers hiking opportunities in the Patagonia wilderness, Atacama Desert, and wine regions. Europe and North America are also safe travel destinations. The CDC website provides a global map and Zika rating for each country. However, pregnant or conceiving individuals should view Zika with caution, as it can cause serious birth defects in developing babies. Countries without the Zika virus or with mosquitoes but no outbreaks are also considered safe travel destinations.

Is Colombia a Zika risk?

Colombia, a country in South America, has been severely affected by Aedes-borne diseases, including Zika. The first Zika cases were reported in August 2015, and the disease was observed in various temporal patterns in selected municipalities of Colombia. Zika is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti, which are well adapted to urban settings, live in intradomicile and peridomicile spaces, reproduce in small collections of fresh water, and are climate-sensitive.

At the population level, characteristics such as elevation, space and time impact the presence, density, activity, and competence of Aedes aegypti to transmit viruses. Warmer temperatures have been associated with an increased risk of Aedes-borne diseases, while humidity has been associated with their activity, survival, and reproductive activity. Rainfall can fill small containers with fresh water, forming ideal breeding sites for Aedes mosquitoes to lay their eggs and live during the immature stages. Improper waste management, housing materials, household crowding, and access to piped water also play a significant role in the risk of diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti.

Higher human population densities also increase the chances of mosquito-virus-human interaction. These factors contribute to the spatio-temporal distribution of Aedes-transmitted diseases like Zika. Overall, the presence of Aedes mosquitoes in Colombia’s urban areas and the impact of climate and other factors on their transmission and vector competence contribute to the ongoing pandemic.