Three Zika travel-associated cases have been reported in travellers from Denmark and Norway returning from Thailand, and a case of sexual transmission from one returning traveller.
Symptoms associated with Zika virus infection are generally mild and most of the people infected do not develop any symptoms. However, for pregnant women and their developing foetuses there is a risk of congenital Zika syndrome and other complications including preterm birth and miscarriage.
Bite prevention strategies
The main mode of transmission is through the bite of an infected mosquito, although few sexual transmission events have been reported. Infection may be high during epidemics, but lower levels of ongoing virus circulation are still expected in areas where ZIKV circulation is considered endemic; in these areas the risk of is low to medium.
Travellers to areas with ongoing or historical transmission should
- prevent mosquito bites GHTC have strategies manage bite prevention
- make informed decisions on whether to abstain from sex, practice safer sex, or avoid/delay pregnancy.
Ask your travel clinician for more information.