Pregnant women should consider delaying travel to Zika areas: WHO

Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes pictured at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Insect Pest Control Laboratory on Feb 10, 2016.

GENEVA (REUTERS) - Women who are pregnant should consider putting off travel to areas infected with the Zika virus as a precautionary measure, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday (Feb 12) in new advice.

"Based on the latest evidence that Zika virus infection during pregnancy may be linked to microcephaly in newborns, WHO is issuing further precautionary travel advice to women who are pregnant and their sexual partners," it said in a statement.

"Women who are pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their health care provider and consider delaying travel to any area where locally acquired Zika infection is occurring."

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