Zika virus hit the headlines between 2014 and 2017 when it spread rapidly throughout the world. While the levels have declined since then, there is still a risk of contracting the virus, which is why travellers need to be cautious and check health warnings for the country they are heading to.
What is the Zika virus?
The Zika virus is spread by mosquitos, and it has been linked to birth defects in babies born to people who have been pregnant when bitten by an infected insect.
It can also cause people to feel unwell when they contract the virus, with the common symptoms including a fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, lower back pain, itchiness, a rash, and sore eyes. These symptoms tend to last between two and seven days and are usually mild.
Zika virus has also been linked with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which impacts the nervous system and makes moving joints and muscles difficult.
However, the real complication occurs if the person infected is pregnant, as it can cause premature or stillbirths, a miscarriage, problems with hearing, eyesight and brain development in the baby, and even microcephaly, which is when the child is born with a very small head.
Where is the Zika virus usually found?
During the Zika virus epidemic, it was prevalent in the Americas, Asia and Africa. Therefore, anyone who wanted to travel to these regions during this period needed to take precautions to make sure they avoided falling pregnant, and expectant mothers were advised to postpone trips there.
While using mosquito repellent and mosquito nets can reduce the number of bites you get, it is hard to avoid getting bitten entirely. Therefore, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised against non-essential travel to these areas for those planning to get pregnant or who already were.
According to the FCO, the virus is still considered to be endemic in these regions. There has been evidence of Zika in 89 countries around the world since the outbreak, and there is no vaccine for the infection, which means everyone is susceptible to it.
For up-to-date travel health information, holidaymakers should research the country they are going to and make sure there is little to no risk of Zika virus there.
What other travel-related illnesses should you be wary of?
While Zika virus poses a big threat to pregnant women or those trying for a baby, there are still many travel-related illnesses that holidaymakers need to be cautious of when heading abroad.
These include rabies, which is contracted through infected animals; malaria, yellow and dengue fever, and Japanese encephalitis from mosquito bites; and typhoid from contaminated food or water.
Fortunately, these infections can be prevented by having vaccinations at a travel health clinic.
It is also important to take precautions when travelling as well, including wearing high-strength mosquito repellent, using mosquito nets, and wearing loose clothing that covers arms and legs.
You should also avoid touching animals, drinking tap water or eating food that has been rinsed, such as salad leaves. Washing hands regularly, staying hydrated, and only eating freshly cooked food will also ensure you stay as healthy as possible on your holiday.