TAANZ update - CDC travel warning

Dear Members,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging pregnant women — at any stage of pregnancy — to consider postponing travel to 14 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean where a virus linked to birth defects is reportedly being transmitted through mosquito bites.
 
The countries impacted by this Level 2 travel notice are Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela. While the virus causes only a mild illness in most people, there is mounting evidence linking it to a birth defect, especially in Brazil.
 
The CDC also advises women who are contemplating or trying to get pregnant to talk to their doctor before traveling to those areas and to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
 
Your customers, especially those with international flights, may have questions about the disease and its ability to spread while traveling. You may want to direct them to CDC.gov/travel/notices.  
 
CDC recommends special precautions for the following groups:

Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):
• Consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
• If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites) during your trip.

Women who are trying to become pregnant:
• Before you travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection.
• Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites) during your trip.

Specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time. As more information becomes available, TAANZ will keep its members informed.