Zika Infection: Situational Awareness

Zika virus infection is an emerging infection now widespread through much of Latin America.  There is a strong potential that this infection will continue to spread.  A Zika infection spreads through mosquito bites and is typically manifested as a mild flu-like illness, fever, a rash, conjunctivitis, and joint pains but most cases are “silent”, meaning that the infected person feels no symptoms at all.  Health authorities such as the Center for Disease Control and World Health Organization harbor serious concerns that an infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects in a newborn whose mother may have been infected with the Zika virus. The latest list of all the countries covered by the CDC Travel Alert Level 2 can be found here: CDC Travel Health Information.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Honduras enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website at Department of State Website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, (including the Travel Warning for Honduras), Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution.  Read the Country Specific Information for Honduras at Country Specific Information.  For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Follow us on Twitter at ACS Twitter and Facebook at ACS Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App at Smart Traveler iPhone to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Avenida La Paz in Tegucigalpa and is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; telephone (504) 2238-5114, after hours telephone (504) 2236-8497; Consular Section fax (504) 2238-4357; E-mail: ACS E-mail Address; webpage: U.S. Embassy Webpage ;  Facebook: Facebook  and Twitter : Twitter

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