Zika is an emerging tropical disease transmitted to people via a specific species of mosquito. There is no existing vaccine or treatment available for the virus.
The CDC issued its warning after reports from Brazil suggested a potential link between women who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant and poor pregnancy outcomes, including microcephaly — a condition in which a baby’s head is much smaller than expected. The link has yet to be confirmed, but researchers are currently studying the relationship between the virus and the birth defect.
Currently, the alert applies to people traveling to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname and Venezuela. That said, there are other countries outside Central and South America where Zika cases have been reported.
More articles on tropical diseases:
CDC confirms Zika virus in Texas traveler
US becoming more susceptible to tropical diseases: 5 things to know
WHO publishes list of emerging diseases likely to cause major epidemics
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