By: Haley Falco
The World Health Organization is advising pregnant women to avoid travelling to places where Zika virus is detected, such as Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The Zika virus is carried by the Aedes mosquitos, which do not live in Canada because of our climate.
There’s a link between Zika virus and microcephaly, a neurological disorder that causes newborns to have unusually small heads and developmental issues. The virus passes through the amniotic fluid and causes a disturbance in growth.
Most people with Zika virus have very mild symptoms like fever, headaches and rashes.
Taking precautions, Canadian Blood Services is advising blood donors who have recently travelled outside of Canada, Europe and the United States to hold off on donating blood for at least a month after returning to Canada.