Some Maritimers hoping to escape the winter weather with a trip down south may be rethinking their travel plans due to the Zika Virus.
The virus is a growing concern, especially for pregnant women and those considering pregnancy, and many are cancelling trips on their doctor’s recommendation.
Valerie Colpitts, a travel agent in Dieppe, N.B., says many of her clients are raising concerns about the virus and she ensures they are well informed before booking.
“We have a legal obligation to advise our customers of the countries who have one or two cases reported,” she says.
Dr. Oluwasayo Olatunde, a family doctor in the area, says Zika has been around for years, but has mostly recently been connected to a spike in cases of microcephaly in newborn babies in Brazil.
Cases of the Zika virus have now been identified in 30 countries.
“If you are in a Zika zone, or you’ve been to a Zika zone, and you start having flu-like symptoms, don’t assume it’s the flu,” says Olatunde. “I would like the person to see a physician immediately.”
The most common symptoms of Zika are joint pain, fever, rash, headaches and muscle pain. The virus can remain in a person’s bloodstream for a week or more.
There have been cases of Zika reported in Canada in travellers returning from countries where the virus is known to circulate. Olatunde says travellers should take precautions if they are planning to visit countries affected by the outbreak.
“During the day they need to be protected,” she says. “Either you protect yourself by covering yourself up completely. If that’s not possible you have to make sure the exposed areas are protected with Deet.”
While some travellers are choosing to take precautions, Colpitts says some are cancelling altogether.
“We had one customer, when she originally booked she wasn’t pregnant, and now she is, and she was able to cancel,” she says. “We were able to get her cancelled for no charge, no penalties applied because the country she was going to has the Zika virus.”
Many airlines and travel agencies are offering refunds to pregnant women, or those who are considering becoming pregnant, who have booked trips to affected countries.
“I’m actually saying that to my clients, if they need a letter, I’m willing to write a letter saying we don’t think it’s safe for this person to make this trip,” says Olatunde.
Anyone who is planning a trip down south can check the World Health Organization website, which lists every country with a confirmed case of the Zika virus.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
