by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:24 PM ET, Thu February 23, 2017
Just because the mosquito-borne Zika virus has disappeared from the news does not mean tourists should throw caution to the wind while traveling.
According to The Associated Press, several destinations in the Caribbean that were dealing with outbreaks of Zika in 2016 are now seeing an increase in travelers, and some local hotel owners are reporting less guests asking about the virus.
Mosquitoes are less prevalent during the fall and winter months, but experts say the end of winter and early spring is when the insects become more active, which increases the likelihood of Zika virus transmission.
Tourists are encouraged to continue exercising caution when booking travel to regions where the Zika virus has been prevalent, especially women who are thinking about conceiving.
"If anyone is pregnant or planning to become pregnant, then it is wise to discourage travel to areas where Zika is currently being transmitted, particularly southern Texas and Florida, Mexico into Central America, South America, and the Caribbean," Texas Children's Hospital's Laboratory for Viral and Zoonotic Diseases director Dr. Kristy Murray told The AP.
Zika has been connected to cases of microcephaly and other birth defects afflicting babies born to mothers infected with the virus, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has advised "women to avoid travel to Zika zones, to protect themselves from bites if they are in Zika-affected areas, and to protect themselves from infection during sex if their partners have been in Zika zones."
The CDC also released several tips for travelers making their way to destinations with a history of Zika. Some of the organization's advice includes wearing long-sleeved shirts, wearing long pants and using mosquito repellent.
In total, more than 5,000 cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in the U.S. and more than 37,000 cases have been reported in U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, according to the CDC.
While travelers are now viewing terrorism and political unrest among the top negative factors when planning a trip, tourists should still remain just as vigilant about the Zika virus as we head into the time of year when last year's outbreak started to gain notoriety.
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