Zika transmission appears to be increasing in Peru

According the health authorities, the number of people with positive laboratory tests for Zika virus has increased to 91. Affected areas include the regions of Cajamarca, Loreto, Tumbes, San Martín and Ucayali. Since 4 out of 5 people who are infected with this virus have no symptoms and are not reported by health care facilities, the actual number of infected people in the community is much larger than official statistics.


Advice For Travellers

The risk of exposure to this virus may be high depending in some localities.

The absence of reports from other areas does not mean there is no transmission of Zika virus there.


There is strong scientific evidence that this virus is the cause of microcephaly (small brain) and other neurological abnormalities in newborn infants. As a precautionary measure, women who are pregnant, especially in their first trimester, should consider postponing travel to countries where this virus is spreading or, at a minimum, take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.