Barbados reports presence of Zika virus

Ministry of Health officials reported that 3 out of 8 laboratory samples were positive for Zika virus. Barbados is the latest country to report the introduction of this virus.

Advice

While the risk of exposure for the general traveller is low at present, it may increase as the virus spreads into the local mosquito population. Travellers can minimize the risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Since infection with this virus usually causes a rather mild illness similar to flu, there may be many cases in the community that do not seek medical attention and are not reported to health authorities. Until the association between infection with this virus and the increase in cases of microcephaly (small brain) in newborns in Brazil is clarified, women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.