ZIKA TRAVEL ADVISORY

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for Zika-affected countries in the Americas. The CDC recommends pregnant women consider postponing non-essential travel or consult with a doctor to discuss specific risk factors before traveling. Zika has been reported in some Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne disease closely related to dengue fever, chikungunya, and West Nile virus. The virus can be spread from mosquito to human. Recent studies have shown that pregnant women who are infected can pass the virus to their unborn child. Cases of poor pregnancy outcomes and serious birth defects such as microcephaly have been reported.

How can I Protect Myself?

If you are planning a trip to any Zika-affected country, follow these guidelines:

Discuss the relative threat of Zika virus infection with your doctor. This is especially important if you are pregnant or may become pregnant while traveling.
Use insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET. Non-DEET alternatives are also available - such as picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Be sure to follow the specific instructions on the repellent you use, to make sure that you maintain protection at all times.
Wear long sleeves, pants, socks, and hats to cover as much skin as possible while comfortable. The more skin you cover with clothing, the less opportunity disease-carrying mosquitoes have to bite you. Clothing can also be treated with permethrin to provide additional protection against mosquitoes.
Prevent mosquitoes from coming indoors. Whenever possible, stay in rooms that are air-conditioned or that have intact window and door screens. Routinely check rooms for mosquitoes, and use indoor insecticide sprays and/or traps to kill any mosquitoes that come inside.
Monitor yourself for signs of fever, vomiting, or aches and pains. If you get sick while traveling in a Zika-affected area or shortly after returning home - especially if you were pregnant during your trip or suspect you might have become pregnant - seek medical attention, and be sure to inform your doctor that you may have been exposed to Zika virus.

Some airlines are offering waivers and refunds to customers flying into the affected areas. For your convenience, we have provided direct links to those policies for some of the major carriers. Airlines are updating their websites constantly, so please refer to the links below periodically for updates.

American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
JetBlue Airlines
United Airlines

Please note the risk of mosquito-borne transmission on an aircraft is extremely low and customers traveling to affected areas should follow the recommendations provided by the CDC.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening Monday, Feb. 1, for an Emergency Committee meeting on the Zika virus to determine whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. For more updates, please visit the WHO website.

For additional information about Zika, including travel advisories, visit the CDC website. To obtain CDC travel notices, call the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) from within the United States, or 1-404-639-3534 from overseas.

Travel Incorporated will continue to monitor these events and communicate any relevant updates. Please do not hesitate to contact Travel Incorporated with any schedule changes.

Travel Safely.