U.S. issues travel alert over Zika virus in Latin America, Caribbean
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are seen in this picture. Zika virus is among the viruses spead by the species.REUTERS/Ma Qiang/Southern Metropolis Daily (Copyright Reuters 2016)
U.S. health officials on Friday issued a travel warning for 14 countries and territories in the Caribbean and Latin America where infection with Zika, a mosquito-borne virus, is a risk.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in particular cautioned pregnant women not to travel to those areas as Zika has been linked to a serious birth defects.
The travel alert applies to Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It also includes advice that women who are trying to become pregnant should consult with their doctor before traveling to those areas.
(Reporting by Deena Beasley; Editing by Sandra Maler)