To learn more about the transmission of the virus, read The Transmission of the Zika Virus.
Official recommendations for the Zika virus are many. Travellers to tropical or subtropical regions should protect themselves against mosquito bites for several different viruses—Zika, malaria, West Nile, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya.
If you’re planning to travel while pregnant or just before you’re planning on becoming pregnant, you should take these precautions:
- Consult your doctor or a Santé-Voyage clinic at least six weeks before your trip for preventative measures to take;
- Pregnant women and those who want to become pregnant must AVOID all travel to countries in regions labelled “risk zones” for the Zika virus. If the trip can’t be cancelled or postponed, you must use serious protection measures for mosquito bites;
- Travellers must protect themselves from mosquito bites at all times (read on for suggestions and means to use);
- Don’t have unprotected sexual contact. Always properly used condoms and avoid having sexual relations when you travel in zones where mosquitoes propagate the Zika virus. Use a condom for three months after your return, or throughout the pregnancy if your spouse is already pregnant.
To continue, read Protection Measures for Insect Bites
