Canada has joined the United States in issuing a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to the Caribbean in the wake of the outbreak of the Zika virus.
“It is recommended that pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant discuss their travel plans with their health care provider to assess their risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating in the Americas,” The Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement.
“If travel cannot be postponed then strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed to protect themselves against bites,” it added, stating that this should be done particularly for those travelling to areas where Zika virus is circulating.
The Public Health Agency of Canada said there have been travel-related cases of Zika virus reported in Canada in returned travelers from countries where the virus is known to circulate. But it said there have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Canada.
