When Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, announced that they were expecting a baby last month they swiftly squashed speculation that they would be changing their travel plans as a result. They were about to set off on a tour of the Pacific. But some of their travels take them to regions where Zika occurs.
What is Zika and why should Megan and Harry worry about it?
Zika is a mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects. There is no vaccine against Zika. Mosquito-bite avoidance will reduce your risk of infection. There is evidence that it can be transmitted sexually, too. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are going to Fiji and Tonga, which the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention describes as ‘areas with a risk of Zika infection’. According to the BBC, the royal couple took advice about ‘Meghan’s pregnancy tour’ – presumably from a travel health clinician like the nurses at Canadian Travel Clinics, Downtown Calgary.
Should pregnant woman and women trying to conceive avoid travelling because of Zika?
The general advice handed out to pregnant women is often very conservative in nature. This is because, naturally, most advice givers want to protect unborn children. If you, as a pregnant woman, are worried about any aspect of your trip, talk to a travel health nurse. They will tell you about the diseases you will be exposed to, help you assess the risks and recommend steps to protect yourself and your child.
How can I avoid mosquito bites?
The travel health specialist that Meghan and Harry consulted will almost certainly have recommended mosquito-bite avoidance as a first line of defence against Zika. Mosquitoes also carry several other dangerous diseases, including malaria, Japanese encephalitis, Chikungunya and Dengue fever. Some of these won’t be a concern on a Pacific tour, of course, but as you can see it’s always a good idea to avoid mosquito bites wherever you are in the world. Check out our travel advice article to learn more about not getting bitten by mosquitos. Tips include using an effective mosquito repellent, sleeping under nets and dressing in light-coloured clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
How can I travel comfortably while pregnant?
We can be sure that Prince Harry and his staff will spare neither expense nor effort in keeping Meghan comfortable while travelling. Even if you are planning a simpler trip, there are a few easy steps you can take to keep yourself comfy and safe on your babymoon or business trip while pregnant. In particular, you should be aware that your immune system is less effective during pregnancy and this can make you more susceptible to illness. Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccinations; and ask your travel health specialist what other precautions you can take to avoid illness.
I’m looking for a travel clinic in Calgary
Look no further than Canadian Travel Clinics if you need travel vaccinations in Calgary. We can offer evening and early morning appointments for your convenience. Book online now.