You may have read recently about a new virus – Zika virus – that is affecting South America.
It is a virus, spread by mosquitoes, which was known to affect parts of Africa and Asia in recent decades,
but has recently spread to new areas and has been implicated in a rise in specific birth defects.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) keeps a regularly updated record of affected
areas and travellers to endemic areas – particularly South America – are advised to check
this prior to travelling.

So why is Zika Virus an issue?

Generally the virus causes a mild flu-like illness in about 25% of people who are exposed to it.
In most people this is not a problem. However in pregnant women, a link is emerging between
Zika and neurodevelopmental problems in childhood. It appears that exposure in early
pregnancy carries the highest risk but not enough is yet known to definitively draw this
conclusion. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the coming months
are advised not to travel to affected areas at present. If they have been in an affected area,
the advice is to avoid conceiving until at least 28 days after return if they remain well or see
a doctor to discuss any symptoms they may have prior to conceiving. The infection can be
detected on a blood test. Pregnant women who may have been exposed require more frequent
scans and antenatal care.

Men with suspected or confirmed infection are advised to use barrier contraception for 6 months with their partners if they are pregnant or at risk of becoming pregnant.

All travellers to endemic areas should take precautions against mosquito bites with
appropriate clothing and insect repellent.

More information is available here:
http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Vectorborne/Zika/Factsheet/FactsheetfortheGeneralPublic/File,15558,en.pdf