The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday (January 26, 2016) added two more destinations -- the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic -- to the list of places that pregnant women may want to avoid due to potential infection with the Zika virus.

Already, the CDC had advised pregnant women to avoid trips to Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Martin, Suriname, Samoa, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

The agency also recommended screening for women who have recently traveled to these places while pregnant.

On Sunday, January 24, 2016, the World Health Organization warned that the Zika virus, which has harmed thousands of babies born in Brazil, will likely spread to all but two countries in North, Central and South America.

Since last May, 23 countries and territories in the Americas have reported cases of mosquito-borne Zika, which is linked to a brain disorder called microcephaly. Babies with the condition have abnormally small heads, resulting in developmental issues and, in some cases, death.

Transmission is through the Aedes mosquitoes, which is widespread in the entire region except for Canada and continental Chile. Also, the "population of the Americas had not previously been exposed to Zika and therefore lacks immunity," according to a WHO statement released Sunday.

How is Zika Virus Transmitted?

Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.

These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.

They are aggressive daytime biters, prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people.

Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Mother to Child Trasmission:

A mother already infected with Zika virus near the time of delivery can pass on the virus to her newborn around the time of birth, but this is rare.

It is possible that Zika virus could be passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy. This mode of transmission is being investigated.

To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding.

Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.

Possibly through infected blood or sexual contact:

This is not confirmed. There has been one report of possible spread of the virus through blood transfusion and one report of possible spread of the virus through sexual contact.

Symptoms:

About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika).

The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes).

Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache.

The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) for Zika virus disease is not known, but is likely to be a few days to a week.

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week.

Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for a few days but it can be found longer in some people. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. Deaths are rare.

Diagnosis:

The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread through the same mosquitoes that transmit Zika.

See your healthcare provider if you develop the symptoms described above and have visited an area where Zika is found.

If you have recently traveled, tell your healthcare provider when and where you traveled. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for Zika or other similar viruses like dengue or chikungunya.

Treatment:

No vaccine or medications are available to prevent or treat Zika infections.

Treat the symptoms: Get plenty of rest Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

Take medicines, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to relieve fever and pain.

Do not take aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen.

Aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage (bleeding).

If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication. If you have Zika, avoid mosquito bites for the first week of your illness.

During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people.

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