In the midst of the fourth-quarter 2015 earnings season, carriers seem to have a fresh challenge to cope with. The spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in more than 20 countries, particularly in South and Central America, has set off alarm bells causing many carriers to offer rescheduling/refunds for tickets purchased for travel to areas where the virus is now wreaking havoc.

Why the Panic?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito bites (primarily of an infected mosquito of the Aedes species) are responsible for spreading the virus. Mosquitoes of this species have been responsible for spreading other viral diseases like dengue and chikungunya as well. Zika is associated with symptoms like conjunctivitis, rash and fever apart from pain in joints. According to Australian networks report, the mosquito-borne virus was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest in Uganda and was found to affect monkeys.

Although hospitalization of patients affected by the virus is rare, the absence of a vaccine for the disease, which can cause potential harm to newborns, has raised concerns. According to various media reports, pregnant women are rather high on the Zika risk list. The CDC has stated that it is highly possible for the mosquito-borne virus to be passed on to the fetus from a pregnant mother. 

Consequently, brain damage in babies cannot be ruled out. Infants affected by the virus can be born with small heads (Microcephaly) and can even have life-long affects. According to various media reports, Microcephaly has been witnessed in several infants in Brazil.

CDC Travel Alert on Zika Fears

With the virus no longer restricted to Brazil and spreading rapidly to other countries like popular tourist destinations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean nations, people are naturally panic-stricken. Alarmed by the rapid escalation of the virus and its potential danger to the unborn and newborn, the CDC issued a travel alert earlier this month on travel to Zika-hit areas.