WHO Issues Zika Travel Advisory for Pregnant Women

The World Health Organization (WHO) released updated travel advice related to Zika for pregnant women and their sexual partners on Friday. Other public health groups, including U.S. health officials, had already issued travel advisories due to the possible link between Zika and babies born with microcephaly.

The WHO’s statement says, “Women who are pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their health care provider and consider delaying travel to any area where locally acquired Zika infection is occurring.”

The WHO also said that while the virus is spread by mosquitoes and not person-to-person, there have been a small number of documented cases of sexual transmission of the virus. Due to this, the agency writes that until more is known about the risk, men and women who return from places where there is Zika should practice safe sex. In addition, the agency also recommends that people visiting places where Zika is circulating take usual precautions like using insect repellant.

The WHO says that based on current evidence, it is not recommending travel or trade restrictions.