The US government on Thursday issue special travel considerations on Zika virus for Southeast Asia, recommending pregnant women should consider postponing nonessential travel to the Philippines and 10 other countries in the region.
The countries included in these considerations are: Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement that people could face an "Uncertain risk" of Zika virus infection when they travel to these Southeast Asian countries.
THE US CDC added that Zika virus has been present in these countries for many years and that other countries have reported occasional cases of small outbreaks.
"Recent variations in the number of cases reported in the area have been observed. Zika virus is considered endemic in some of these countries, and many people who live there are likely immune, " said US CDC.
"But US travelers to areas where Zika is endemic may not be immune to the virus and infections have occurred in travelers to Southeast Asia."
The level of Zika virus infection in these countries is unknown but it is likely lower, but not zero, than in areas where Zika has been spreading widely.
"However, because Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes severe birth defects, including microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities, pregnant women should talk to their healthcare provider and consider postponing nonessential travel to Southeast Asia," the US agency said.
Previously, the CDC has issued a travel warning against Singapore, where more than 300 cases of locally transmitted Zika have been reported. The August 30 travel alert urged women to avoid travelling to Singapore, not just consider posponing nonessential travels.
Zika is spread mostly by an infected Aedes species of mosquito and it can also be transmitted sexually.
There are no known vaccine or medicine for Zika virus and the best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites.
DOH Clarifies US Travel Notice
The Department of Healthy (DOH) clarified on Friday that the US CDC advisory is applicable only to pregnant women who are US citizens and not to Filipinos.
“Lilinawin lang natin, ang travel notice ay para sa travelers, especially pregnant women, to avoid non-essential travels. So kung essential travel, pwede; hindi siya total restriction. Hindi kagaya sa Singapore at Brazil which is 'don’t travel',” said DOH spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag.
Dr. Tayag explained the Philippines has been included in the travel notice because it is in the Category 2 wherein there were previous recorded Zika cases.
A total of 12 Zika cases have been reported in the Philippines in the past weeks, including one pregnant woman from Cebu.
Source / Image: InterAksyon
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