The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued travel notices for people visiting nine countries in South and Central America, due to local transmission of the Zika Virus.
The notices, issued yesterday, relate to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Suriname and Venezuela.
Local transmission means that mosquitoes in the area have been infected with the Zika virus and are spreading it to people. The CDC recommends that travelers to the nine countries protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Brazil's Ministry of Health is also concerned about a possible association between the Zika virus outbreak and increased numbers of babies with birth defects. Pregnant women are being urged to take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites. There is no vaccine or medicine to prevent Zika virus infection.
With the virus detected in several countries Jamaica's Health Ministry has heightened the alert for persons to be prepared, in the event the mosquito-borne illness reaches the island.