Shorter days and colder temperatures, plus holidays, mean a lot of people may be traveling to warmer climates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travelers can bring Zika home and still spread the disease to others.
Local public health officials can help heir communities better prepare for travel to and from areas where Zika virus is present and communicable with free outreach tools.
Get the Facts on Zika Hot Spots
By texting PLAN to 855-255-5606, travelers can subscribe to receive the CDC’s Zika updates for their holiday or winter travel destination.
Travelers can also check the CDC’s travel page for updates on Zika virus warnings for their destinations, which include parts of Florida, numerous Caribbean destinations, Central America, the Pacific Islands, South America and Southeast Asia.
Zika’s Spread in Winter
Mosquitoes survive through the winter and are generally not biting when temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But if the bugs are still around after infected travelers return from their trips, they have the potential to spread Zika virus to neighbors and others.
In addition, Zika virus can always be transmitted sexually. All pregnant women with partners who have traveled to an area with Zika should use condoms or practice abstinence during pregnancy, even if their partners do not have Zika symptoms, the CDC advises. And, couples should wait to try to get pregnant if either travels to an area impacted by Zika virus.
The CDC advises travelers that even if they don’t feel sick, they can still bring Zika home and spread the disease.
How to Pack to Prevent Zika
The CDC recommends the following essentials land in all travelers suitcases:
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Insect repellent
- Condoms
The CDC not only encourages public health officials to make travelers aware of how they should pack to prevent Zika, but also what precautions they should take upon return to stop potential spread.
This and other infographics for travelers are available for printing and dissemination from the CDC website.
