Health officials in the United States issued Thursday a new travel advisory for pregnant women visiting 11 countries in Southeast Asia amid the "uncertain" threat of Zika virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed the countries as follows: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Current Situation In Southeast Asia
In a statement, the CDC recommended pregnant women to consider postponing non-essential travel to these countries due to the risk of Zika virus infection.
The health agency emphasized that the level of risk is still unknown and may likely be lower than in regions where the virus is newly introduced and spreading widely.
Recent variations in the number of cases have been reported in the area, the CDC said, and although locals may likely be immune, travelers from the U.S. may not be.
Zika has been present in Southeast Asia for many years, with several countries reporting small or occasional outbreaks, according to the CDC.
Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne virus have been reported in other parts of Asia, including Singapore and South Korea, where cases have risen to 82 and six, respectively.
The Zika virus is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti mosquito. Once infected, only about 20 percent of patients display symptoms, which include red eyes, rash, fever and joint pain.
Health officials are focusing more on advising pregnant women because Zika has been found to cause birth defects in babies, such as microcephaly, a condition where a baby is born with an abnormally small head.
Zika has also been linked to the Guillain-Barré syndrome, a neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. One of the symptoms is a tingling sensation or weakness in the legs.
How To Protect Yourself Against Zika Virus
As of writing, no vaccine or medicine against Zika has been approved yet. Because of this, travelers — especially pregnant women — can protect themselves by doing the following:
1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to cover exposed skin.
2. Apply EPA-registered insect repellents that contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, DEET, or IR3535. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to use all EPA-registered products, including the ones that contain DEET. Most repellents such as DEET can be used on kids aged 2 months old and above.
3. Remain in places with window and door screens, as well as air conditioning.
4. Use a mosquito bed net if air conditioning or screened rooms are not available, or if you are sleeping outdoors. Use mosquito netting in strollers, carriers, cribs for babies to protect them from mosquito bites.
