CDC issues travel warning due to Zika virus

Here’s a fun question to float at your next cocktail party: Which animal bite has killed the greatest number of people?

It’s the mosquito. By far. Because mosquitoes transmit malaria, which has killed more people than any other germ. And now, as security guards are coming to remove you from the cocktail party, let me remind you that mosquitoes also spread West Nile Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and lots of other dangerous infectious diseases.

Our eternal foe, the mosquito, was in the news again last week, bringing with it into the spotlight a pathogen that most of us previously haven’t heard of – Zika virus.

” target=”_blank”>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the following travel warning for female travelers.

• Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who must travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow ” target=”_blank”>steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.

So if you’re pregnant, or hope to be, you should cancel the Caribbean getaway and get tickets to Hawaii instead.

In the meantime the rest of us should spare a kind thought for the Brazilian health officials attempting to contain the explosion of cases in their nation. And we should redouble our efforts to eradicate our oldest and most lethal nemesis – the mosquito.

Learn more:
” target=”_blank”>CDC Issues Warning on Zika Virus (Wall Street Journal)
” target=”_blank”>Zika Virus (CDC information page)