The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a travel alert for Central America, Mexico, The Caribbean and South America due to the outbreak of the Zika virus in these areas.
The virus is mosquito-borne and symptoms can include fever, headaches, joint pain and rashes - however, only one in five people will ever develop any symptoms.
The travel warning is in place particularly for pregnant women as the virus has been linked with the birth defect microcephaly, which can cause a smaller than normal head size in infants, according to
The Atlantic.
The link between the virus and microcephaly has been further bolstered by it being present in two Brazilian infants with microcephaly.
Jamaican authorities have advised women not to get pregnant in the next six months to a year,
Slate reports, and the CDC have asked women to consult with their doctors about potential travel plans.
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