EAST STROUDSBURG -- Sanofi Pasteur announced Tuesday it will be working to develop a vaccine for the Zika virus. In the meantime this health concern could impact your travel plans, especially if you are pregnant.
Newswatch 16 has learned of at least one mother-to-be in the Poconos who put her vacation to the Caribbean on hold due to the threat of the Zika virus and the life-long impacts it could have on her baby.
Dr. Christopher Gilbert is an ob-gyn in the St. Luke’s University Health Network in East Stroudsburg. He has been keeping a close eye on the mosquito-borne Zika virus. It’s especially dangerous for expectant moms.
“This morning I just had a young lady that was pregnant lady that had her heart set on going to the Dominican Republic, and she did cancel her vacation and that was the right thing to do,” said Dr. Gilbert.
The virus has been found in Brazil, Mexico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, and beyond.
The virus can hurt brain development in unborn babies.
“Language ability, athletic ability, intellectual capacity, I think that all those can be affected,” said Dr. Gilbert.
Travel agents at AAA North Penn in Bartonsville say they’re getting daily updates on the Zika virus from the Centers for Disease Control and from AAA’s national office.
"We've been booking vacations to that area but no one's had any concerns. People who had booked previously, months ahead of time no one has called in,” said travel coordinator Lisa Payne.
Payne and her fellow travel agents make sure to discuss this now world-wide health concern with customers and advise travel insurance for anyone who is planning a trip.
“It protects you because when you go out of the country, your normal medical insurance does not cover that. So if something should happen and you get sick while you're there, you want to make sure you are protected,” said Payne.
Doctors say women planning to become pregnant soon should avoid travel to any areas impacted by the Zika virus. If you were to get the virus, expect these symptoms.
“You would have maybe a mild illness, maybe a little bit of fever, a little bit of joint pain, maybe some conjunctivitis,” said Dr. Gilbert.
If you are pregnant and did travel to one of these impacted countries, you should talk with your doctor to determine if any testing is needed.
As of right now there is no vaccine or treatment for the Zika virus.
