The Luxembourg Ministry of Health has urged pregnant women to exercise caution whilst travelling after a large-scale propagation of the Zika virus was reported to be affecting popular tourist destinations, such as Brazil and Mexico.

The virus is transmitted through a bite inflicted by the Aedes mosquito and produces symptoms such as fever; joint and muscle pain; skin and eye redness; vomiting; headaches; and pain behind the eyes. These symptoms are in of themselves not too problematic, and although the virus holds no treatment or vaccine, it is self-limiting after a few days.

However, the virus becomes a lot more serious if it affects a pregnant woman, and is thought to be responsible for malformations of the embryo's central nervous system, also known as microcephaly. As a result, babies are born with a below-average head size and affected regions such as Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and Jamaica have advised women to delay pregnancies as a preventative measure.

A similar increase in cases of Guillain-Barrée syndrome in these same regions have led to the suggestion that the two illnesses may by related. Guillain-Barrée syndrome can occur at any age and is characterised by a progressive paralysis that often begins in the feet and hands before affecting the entire body. the syndrome appears to follow infection and results from an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nerves. Whilst the signs are reversible, the disease can be fatal if no proper medical care is given.

Areas currently experiencing rapid increase in cases with large-scale transmission:

- El Salvador
- Venezuela
- Colombia
- Brazil Suriname
- French Guinea
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Panama
- Martinique

Areas experiencing sporadic, less intense transmission, following the recent introduction of the virus are:

- Bolivia
- Guyana
- Ecuador
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Paraguay
- Puerto Rico
- Barbados
- Saint Martin
- Haiti

The Ministry of Health has advised travellers to these countries to take individual preventive measures such as protecting against mosquitoes at home and outside, particularly from sunrise to sunset when mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

- Use a repellent respecting the instructions given on the product label. It is not recommended to use repellents containing DEET for children under tha age of three months, but pregnant women are able to use it.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, especially when the Aedes mosquito is at its most active
- Sleep or lie down in 'caulked' or air-conditioned rooms or use mosquito nets, even during the day.

Pregnant women, individuals suffering from immune disorders or sever chronic diseases and those accompanied by small children should contact their doctor or seek advice from a Travel Clinic before leaving to get recommendations on the use of repellents and other preventive measures.

Travellers who experience symptoms similar to those of the Zika virus infection three weeks after their return from an infected area should contact their doctor and inform them of their recent trip. Pregnant women who have travelled in such areas should inform an antenatal clinic to receive an examination and be appropriately monitored.

 

Map from Ministry of Health