Nova Scotia doctor gives advice to those travelling to Zika affected areas

The Zika virus has been making headlines around the world after the virus was linked to clusters of babies born in Brazil were born with microcephaly.

The fast spread of the virus in Central and South America has lead the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare an international health emergency, which has prompted doctors in Nova Scotia to warn perspective travellers.

“I think what most people need to be aware of is that most people won’t actually know that they’ve been infected,” Dr. Todd Hatchette said Wednesday.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think what most people need to be aware of is that most people won't actually know that they've been infected," Dr. Todd Hatchette said Wednesday.

“So only about 20 per cent, or one in five, will actually develop symptoms and when they do get symptoms they’re relatively mild.”

READ MORE: Should Canadians worry about Zika virus?

Pregnant women are the most at risk when it comes to the Zika virus, as the most adverse symptoms present in babies. Many are born with abnormally small heads and have brain damage.

“Canada and the United States are recommending that if you don’t have to go to an area that has Zika virus, that you delay your travel,” Dr. Hatchette said, referring both to women who are pregnant now and women who plan to become pregnant in the future.

“If you want to become pregnant and coming back [from an area with Zika virus] most would recommend two to four weeks waiting before you try to get pregnant,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If you want to become pregnant and coming back [from an area with Zika virus] most would recommend two to four weeks waiting before you try to get pregnant," he said.

The wait period is recommended to try to be sure the virus is out of a person’s system.

READ MORE: A look at how countries in the Eastern Hemisphere are dealing with Zika virus

The virus is spread by mosquitos, and has pushed for fast research into the virus and its transmission to find vaccines and treatments. For now, though, Dr. Hatchette says protecting yourself against any mosquito bites is key to avoiding contracting the virus, and other diseases.

“Wearing mosquito repellent, making sure that your screens are closed, these are the big things that you can do…being in mosquito nets around your bedding,” he said.

Potential for vaccine

Dr. Hatchette said that the vaccine process for Zika virus could take years, as it involves extensive research, drug development and testing to be sure it’s safe.

“There is a bit of an advantage because there are cousins to this virus where vaccines already exist – Japanese encephalitis for example – people who travel to South East Asia will get this vaccine, so we have some backbones that can be used to try to generate a vaccine against this virus,” he said.

The virus can be transmitted anywhere the mosquito lives. On Tuesday, U.S. health officials confirmed the first case of Zika virus to be transmitted sexually.