TravelPulse file photo
The day before President Obama's historic visit to Cuba, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added the country to the list of areas where the Zika virus is being transmitted by mosquitoes to humans, The Washington Post reported.
The CDC announced Saturday that pregnant women should avoid traveling to Cuba, according to the Post. The agency also warned others who travel to Cuba to protect themselves from mosquito bites, and since the virus can be sexually transmitted from male partners, to use condoms or abstain from sex.
READ MORE:How Far Has Travel to Zika-Affected Areas Fallen?
About three dozen nations and territories in the Americas, including Brazil, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Aruba, have seen outbreaks of the virus, the Post said.
The World Health Organization announced on March 8 that it supported the CDC in urging pregnant women to stay away from areas where the virus has been transmitted, according to the Post.
READ MORE:Zika Virus: What Travelers Need to Know
Zika has been linked to a dangerous birth defect called microcephaly as well as a neurological condition called Guillain-Barré.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
