Zika alert for pregnant women planning Florida visit
PREGNANT women have been advised to consider postponing travel to the state of Florida after it was confirmed last week that the Zika virus has spread to the popular holiday destination.
Four cases of the virus in Miami-Dade and Broward counties were reported last Friday and are the first known cases of the virus being transmitted by mosquitoes in the continental United States.
The US Centre for Disease Control said it did not expect a widespread outbreak of Zika in the country, but is preparing for small clusters of infections. Florida’s authorities announced more aggressive mosquito control measures.
The current Zika outbreak originated in Brazil and has spread through large parts of South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Zika can cause a mild illness that typically lasts between two to seven days, yet 80pc of those infected have no symptoms.
There is, however, mounting evidence that the virus is linked to the increased incidence of newborns suffering from microcephaly, a severe brain defect caused by an abnormal smallness of the head.
Following the reports, the Department of Foreign Affairs upgraded its travel advice for Florida, with particular regard for pregnant women.
Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said: “I’m advising women who are pregnant and those trying to become pregnant to consider postponing travel arrangements to Florida.”
He also advised other Irish travellers in the popular holiday destination to take local health advice and exercise caution, recommending they download the department’s TravelWise smartphone app for updates and information.
Florida was recently listed as one of the top three choices for Irish holiday-makers by the Irish Travel Agents Association, with a 6pc increase in trips to Florida in 2016.
However, the spread of Zika may lead to a downturn in the numbers of young families travelling to Florida for popular attractions such as Disneyland, as holidaying in affected areas may lead young couples to delay having children for up to six months.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre warns both men and women returning from affected areas to use condoms to avoid sexual transmission of the virus and delay pregnancy for two to six months, depending on whether or not they were ill with Zika.
World champion golfer Rory McIlroy previously pulled out of the Olympic Games, which will take place in Brazil, because of fears over contracting the virus. He admitted he wouldn’t take the risk as he plans to start a family with his fiancee, Erica Stoll, stating: “My health and my family’s health comes before anything else.”
His proposed replacement, Graeme McDowell, also declined to take part in the Rio Olympics, saying: “As many within golf will know, my wife Kristin is pregnant and due to have our second child just a couple of weeks after the Olympic golf competition concludes.
“I made the decision many months ago, before I was on the team, that I would not play or travel outside the US, where my family and I live, in the weeks running up to the birth.”
For more information on the health impacts of Zika, visit hspc.ie.