Is Zika Still a Travel Risk in Pregnancy?

Why Zika still matters in pregnancy

Zika is spread mainly by mosquito bites, and most people who get it feel mildly ill or notice nothing at all. The danger is specific to pregnancy: an infection can cross to the baby and cause congenital Zika syndrome, including microcephaly, a smaller-than-expected head with underlying brain damage, along with eye and other problems. Because of that, the CDC's advice for pregnancy is cautious.

Large outbreaks have faded since 2016, and the CDC currently lists no active Zika travel health notices. But the mosquito that carries Zika still lives across much of the tropics and subtropics, so many destinations are classified as having a risk of transmission. "No active outbreak" is not the same as "no risk."

Check the map before you book

The first step for any babymoon or trip in pregnancy is the CDC's "Countries and Territories at Risk for Zika" map, alongside the Travelers' Health notices page. Search your destination to see its risk category before you put money down, then talk the result over with your OB or provider.

Risk classifications and notices change, so check close to your travel date, not just when you book. If a destination carries Zika risk, the safest choice in pregnancy is to pick somewhere else. Swapping a tropical beach for a Zika-free spot removes the single biggest travel-related birth-defect risk you can control, which is why this check comes before everything else.

Keep in mind the map covers more than headline outbreaks. A country can be listed as having risk simply because the mosquito that spreads Zika lives there, even with no current cases reported. In pregnancy, that listing alone is reason enough to choose a different destination or to talk it through carefully with your provider.

What to do by destination risk

General guidance; always confirm your destination's current status on the CDC map and with your OB or provider.

Destination status	If you are pregnant	If your partner travels
Active Zika travel health notice	Do not travel there	Use condoms for the rest of the pregnancy after their trip
Known risk of Zika (mosquito present)	Avoid; discuss with your provider if unavoidable	Use condoms for the rest of the pregnancy after their trip
No known Zika risk	Standard travel precautions	No Zika-specific precaution needed
Unsure / changing	Recheck the CDC map close to travel	Recheck the CDC map close to travel

If you must go to a risk area: prevent bites

If travel to a risk area is unavoidable, prevent mosquito bites around the clock - the mosquito that spreads Zika bites in daytime:

• Use an EPA-registered insect repellent; DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus are all considered safe in pregnancy when used as directed
• Apply sunscreen first, then repellent over it
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and treat clothing and gear with permethrin (do not put permethrin on skin)
• Sleep and rest in places with air conditioning or window and door screens, or under a bed net
• Remove standing water around your lodging where mosquitoes breed

Partner transmission and testing

Zika can pass through sex, and it lingers in semen longer than in other body fluids:

• If your partner has been in a Zika risk area, use condoms every time or abstain for the entire rest of the pregnancy
• If you are trying to conceive, the CDC advises waiting at least 3 months after a man's last possible exposure before unprotected sex
• Tell your OB or provider about any travel to a risk area, even without symptoms, so they can advise on testing and monitoring
• Testing decisions depend on exposure, symptoms, and timing - your provider follows current CDC protocols

Reflects CDC Zika travel and prevention guidance, 2024-2026. Risk status changes - check the CDC map near your travel date and confirm with your OB or provider.

Related questions

Is there a vaccine or treatment for Zika?

No. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment for Zika. Prevention is the only protection, which is why avoiding risk areas, preventing mosquito bites, and using condoms after exposure matter so much in pregnancy.

My partner went to a Zika area but I did not. Are we safe?

Use condoms or abstain for the rest of the pregnancy after their trip. Zika can pass through semen for months, even when the person never felt sick, so the precaution applies regardless of symptoms.

Is insect repellent safe to use while pregnant?

Yes. EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are considered safe in pregnancy when used as directed. Apply sunscreen first, then repellent.

How long should we wait to conceive after visiting a Zika area?

The CDC advises waiting at least 3 months after a man's last possible exposure and using condoms in the meantime. Check current CDC guidance and your provider's advice, since recommendations are updated.

Is Zika a risk in the continental U.S.?

Local mosquito spread in the continental U.S. has been very limited in recent years, but the carrier mosquito lives in southern states. Check the CDC map for current status, and remember most cases are travel-related.

Sources & further reading

1. CDC - Zika: Recommendations for Travelers and People Living Abroad
2. CDC - Countries & Territories at Risk for Zika (map)
3. CDC - Sexual Transmission of Zika Virus
4. CDC - Preventing Mosquito Bites While Traveling
5. CDC Yellow Book - Zika

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, FDA, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.