Zika Virus Prevention – What Can You Do?

Plan Travel Activities Around Risk Factors

Travelers to Zika-prone areas should plan travel activities around risk factors. We know pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas where a Zika outbreak is occurring. Patients can find out about current outbreaks through news sites and through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

If the patient does go on a trip to an area experiencing a Zika outbreak, they should limit outdoor activities such as water sports and hiking. Indoor activities in air-conditioned areas, including trips to museums, may be safer in terms of avoiding the Zika virus. Patients should also familiarize themselves with the symptoms of the Zika virus just in case. Symptoms normally develop within a week of infection, and patients should see their doctor for a prompt diagnosis. After returning from the trip, patients should continue to plan their activities in a way that reduces their exposure to mosquitoes for the next three weeks, and they should continue to wear insect repellent.