Currently, Zika virus outbreaks have been reported in many countries and WHO has declared it an international health issue. Health experts are advising people not to visit Zika-affected regions. The mosquito-borne disease has claimed many lives in Brazil alone, and several studies have linked it to a rare birth defect, called microcephaly, where a baby takes birth with a small head.

How to stay safe while travelling to area where the deadly virus is growing rapidly? Health experts say pregnant women, or those who are planning to have a baby, must avoid visit to a Zika-affected place.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already issued travel alerts for several countries that have active transmission of the virus. Some of these places are: Puerto Rixo, Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia and Brazil. “Mosquito bites can be more than just annoying and itchy”, said the CDC states.

If a person cannot avoid a trip to these places, there are some guidelines to follow before landing in the area. The CDC recommends people to wear long pants and uppers with long sleeves. If not necessary, people should avoid going outside and stay in air-conditioned rooms, it said.

The agency also advised that if someone cannot stay indoors, then a mosquito bed net must be used. People must use permethrin or buy permethrin-treated items to treat their clothes. In addition, insect repellents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency must be used.

Zika is mainly targeting children and youngsters, so it is necessary to handle them with care, as per the CDC. Children must be dressed with full sleeve clothes. Their arms and legs should be covered all the time. Insect repellents should not be applied to babies under two months of age, the agency suggested.