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Zika tips: Health officials urge caution with holiday travel

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Delaware now has 16 cases of the Zika virus, prompting health officials to remind residents to take care while traveling during the holidays.

 

State Epidemiologist Jennifer Zambri said pregnant women should not travel to Zika-affected areas.

 

“There are so many complications that can arise from a Zika infection with a pregnant woman and the possibility of transferring the virus from mother to fetus...we feel like it’s important to protect the babies,” Zambri said.

 

But she said it’s not just pregnant women who should be worried. All travelers venturing to Zika-affected areas are at risk. The World Health Organization recently called for a need for more aggressive responses to Zika.

 

“Essentially this change means that Zika is here to stay,” Zambri said. “We’re looking at this now as a longterm ongoing problem that we’re going to have to continue to deal with, especially as more information becomes available.”

 

Travelers can help protect themselves by bringing bug spray on their trip, reapplying it throughout the day and sleeping under mosquito nets. The Division of Public Health recommends if a woman is pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, they should postpone travel to a Zika-affected area.

 

No pregnant woman has contracted the virus in Delaware so far. The state’s 16 cases were caused by mosquito bites while traveling overseas.

 

Zambri said she knows of several companies working on vaccines for the virus. Those however, won’t be available until 2018 at the earliest. Until then, she says, travelers need to stay vigilant - especially during the holidays.

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