The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert to highlight countries where the Zika virus is prevalent. The campus administrators are not advising individuals to cancel travel plans to those areas, but there are steps travelers can take to minimize risks.
Travelers can limit their exposure to Zika—and other mosquito-borne illnesses—by taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
As discussed extensively in news and social media, Zika has been linked to birth defects. The CDC advises pregnant women to avoid travel to those regions, and the CDC has issued guidance for male travelers who are concerned about potential exposure of Zika to female partners who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
More information is available on the CDC’s Zika virus resource website.
U. of I. students concerned about a risk of exposure to Zika related to upcoming travel may contact their personal physician or McKinley Health Center for more information. Pregnant women, or women planning to become pregnant, should consult with their OB-GYN.
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