The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued  a travel notice for Belize after recent reports of local transmission of Zika virus in the Central American country. Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people.

Aedes aegypti/CDC
Aedes aegypti/CDC

Travelers to areas with cases of Zika virus infection are at risk of being infected with the Zika virus. Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters. They also bite at night. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika virus. The best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is also possible, so travelers are also encouraged to use condoms or not have sex.

Most people infected with Zika virus do not get sick. Among those who do develop symptoms, sickness is usually mild, with symptoms that last for several days to a week. Zika may also be linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis for a few weeks to several months. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent damage.

Until more is known, CDC continues to recommend that pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant take the following precautions.

Pregnant women should not travel to any area with Zika, if you must travel to or live in one of these areas, talk to your healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and if you have a male partner who lives in or has traveled to an area with Zika, either use condoms, the right way, every time you have sex or do not have sex during your pregnancy. 

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