ZIKA Virus and Travel Risks

With travel becoming frequent again, it's important for those planning to conceive and those who are pregnant to be informed of Zika related risks.

The Zika virus is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. It can be transmitted by an infected pregnant person to their developing baby as well as sexually transmitted by an infected sperm provider to their partner. Typical illness either has no symptoms or mild fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes. Zika virus infection can in rare cases cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome, microcephaly, or other unknown risks. For more information please visit: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/152.

Pregnant people and those planning a pregnancy should avoid travel to countries with current or previous Zika outbreaks.

• For travelers intending to carry a pregnancy returning from countries with ongoing Zika virus outbreaks: it is strongly recommended that you wait at least two months before trying to conceive to ensure that any possible Zika virus infection has cleared your body.

• For sperm providing travelers, Zika virus can persist for an extended period of time in the semen of infected people: It is strongly recommended that you and your partner wait to conceive for three months after travelling or the onset of illness due to Zika virus by using a condom.