Zika virus in pregnancy and child travel
- drnatprevatt
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Zika Virus is a neurotropic virus (meaning it infects the nervous system) which is mainly spread by Aedes mosquitoes in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. It can also be transmitted by blood transfusion, sexual intercourse and mother to child.
The mosquitoes that carry Zika Virus (ZV) are different from those that transmit malaria and they usually bite during the day, making it important to use bite avoidance measures like repellents during the day aswell as the night.
Zika in pregnancy
Zika virus infection is a big concern for pregnant women. Around 10% of pregnant women who get infected with ZV give birth to babies who have brain malformations and microcephaly (a noticeably small head). Many of these babies have cognitive and developmental issues. Around 20% have eye problems, and 10% are also deaf. The babies are very irritable in the first year of life and may have frequent seizures. Mothers have reported poor quality of life and its clearly important to avoid Zika virus in pregnancy if you can.
How to prevent ZV in pregnancy
Unfortunately, there's no Zika vaccine available yet. Mosquito bite avoidance during the daytime is the best way to avoid Zika when travelling. To avoid being bitten you should frequently apply repellents and wear long, insecticide-treated clothes. Pregnant women can and should use DEET sprays and permethrin treated clothing. They must also avoid unprotected sex with their partner on the holiday and for several months afterward.
Using window screens and closing doors to the outside can also be helpful physical barriers to stopping Aedes mosquitoes from entering your accommodation too.
Sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide at night to prevent any bites while sleeping too. They are mostly daytime biters but they can bite at night.
If as a pregnant woman you opt not to travel, but a sexual partner travels to a Zika area you should use barrier contraceptive methods for all forms of sex for 3 months (even if they have no symptoms). This precaution is regardless of whether you travelled yourself. Testing of partners with no symptoms is not recommended and many UK couples will want to factor this 3 months in if they are planning to conceive after a holiday.
Zika in Children
While ZV does the most damage to the developing fetal brain it might do subtle neurological damage to infants who get it, and it can cause serious complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis in babies and children, so do always take bite precautions to avoid your children catching Zika virus.
For most children and adults (>80%) Zika virus will cause only mild symptoms:
• Fever
• Itchy Rash
• Headaches
• Joint and muscle pains
• Red eyes
Most children will have just one or two symptoms, usually appearing 3-13 days after the infected bite. Several other tropical infections cause similar symptoms, so if your child has a fever overseas, take them to a local doctor. If your child develops these symptoms after returning to the UK, you should see your GP or pay a visit to A+E.
How to prevent ZV in children and adolescents
There is no ZV vaccine so bite avoidance during the daytime is neccessary to avoid Zika when travelling abroad. You need to apply DEET repellent and wear long, permethrin-treated clothes. Babies can be additionally protected by insecticide treated cot bed nets / stroller nets when out and about in addition to their repellents and protective clothing. Using window screens and closing doors to the outside can also create physical barriers to stopping Aedes mosquitoes from entering. Repellants should be washed off every evening and reapplied for the nightime.
All ages should sleep under mosquito nets treated with insecticide to prevent any bites while sleeping too.
Zika Virus treatment
Like many viral illnesses, there is no specific treatment.
If you or your child have symptoms, you should rest, drink plenty of water, and take pain relief like paracetamol to manage the discomfort.
If you are pregnant and develop symptoms of Zika, or have intercourse with someone who develops symptoms then you should seek medical attention in order to get a test for the disease. If you test positive then you will be offerred extra ultrasound screening throughout your pregnancy to monitor for the congenital malformations that ZV can cause. The Royal College of obstetricians has lots of information on this online.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about travelling abroad with your family to countries with viruses like Zika, don't hesitate to contact me via the contact page of the website.
Check out my blog for other articles about keeping your family safe abroad.
Visit Childrenstraveldoc.com for 1:1 advice from the UK's Only Travel Medicine Paediatrician.
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