The World Health Organization is warning that the Zika virus could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas.
The mosquito-borne disease has infected 31 people in the U.S., including a pregnant woman from New York City – one of three who have the disease in the city.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, rash, and red eyes – though they are mild. It’s been linked to microcephaly in utero, which can cause babies to have unusually small heads. There’s currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika.
The Center for Disease Control is issuing a travel alert for 24 countries and territories, including Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, to name a few.
If you have to rearrange your travel plans, some airlines and cruise lines are offering refunds or the chance to postpone the trip, MarketWatch reports. United Airlines and JetBlue are letting its passengers rebook flights to affected areas for a later date or a refund. Flying American Airlines? You’ll have to provide a doctor’s note if you’re unable to go to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, or Venezuela. By. Feb.29, Delta fliers must make their changes to future tickets. Southwest customers can make changes, too.
On the cruise front, Norwegian is allowing pregnant women to reschedule their cruise or change their itinerary to one that doesn’t stop in disease-affected regions. Expectant mothers can cancel their Carnival cruises to get a credit for a future cruise. Royal Caribbean will give pregnant passengers alternatives that may include a future cruise credit.
