Dear Members of the Campus Community,

With spring break and other travel plans just around the corner, the campus is receiving questions about the Zika virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel alert to highlight countries where the Zika virus is prevalent. We’re not advising individuals to cancel travel plans to those areas, but there are a number of steps travelers can take to minimize their risks.

Travelers can limit their exposure to Zika (and other mosquito-borne illnesses) by taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

As discussed extensively in news and social media, Zika has been linked to birth defects. The CDC advises pregnant women to avoid travel to those regions, and also has issued guidance for male travelers who are concerned about potential exposure of Zika to female partners who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

More information is available from the CDC’s Zika virus resource site.

University of Illinois students concerned about a risk of exposure to Zika related to upcoming travel may contact their personal physician or McKinley Health Center for more information. Pregnant women, or women planning to become pregnant, should consult with their OB-GYN.

Sincerely,

C. Renée Romano
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs