Zika Virus: What Women and Couples Planning Pregnancy Need to Know in 2025
Planning a tropical getaway? Thinking about starting a family? While Zika virus may seem like old news, it's still circulating in popular holiday destinations—and the risks for pregnancy remain real. Here's what you need to know to protect your plans for parenthood.
If you're planning a tropical holiday or considering starting a family, understanding the Zika virus is essential for protecting your future pregnancy.
While the large-scale Zika outbreak that dominated headlines in 2016 has subsided, the virus hasn't disappeared. Zika remains a significant public health concern in parts of Brazil and other regions, with thousands of cases still reported annually. For women who are pregnant or thinking about conceiving, this means staying informed about the risks is just as important today as it was during the epidemic.
Why Zika Still Matters for Women Planning Pregnancy
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. This mosquito is found in tropical and subtropical regions and typically bites during the day, particularly in early morning and late afternoon. Most people who contract Zika experience only mild symptoms—fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes—and some people don't develop symptoms at all.
However, the implications for pregnancy are serious. Zika virus can pass from a pregnant woman to her fetus, potentially causing congenital Zika syndrome and other birth defects affecting the brain or eyes. The most well-known consequence is microcephaly, where babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development. Research suggests that approximately 5-10% of babies born to mothers with confirmed Zika infection during pregnancy will have birth defects related to the infection, with the highest risk occurring when infection happens in the first trimester.
The good news? Zika virus infection does not impact future pregnancies. Once the virus has cleared your system, it poses no ongoing risk to subsequent conceptions.
Planning Travel to Affected Areas
Before booking that dream tropical getaway, it's worth checking current Zika transmission levels in your destination. The CDC recommends that pregnant women and couples planning a pregnancy within the next three months consult with a healthcare provider before traveling to areas with risk of Zika and carefully consider the risks and possible consequences.
If you do decide to travel, protection is key. Wear loose, lightweight clothing that covers your arms and legs, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to any exposed skin. At night, sleeping under mosquito netting provides an extra layer of defence.
It's also important to remember that Zika can be sexually transmitted. While the risk is relatively low, using condoms during vaginal, anal, and oral sex can help prevent transmission if your partner has been exposed to the virus.
The Waiting Period After Travel
One of the most common questions women ask is: "How long do I need to wait before trying to conceive after traveling to a Zika-affected area?"
Current CDC guidance recommends that couples planning pregnancy within the next three months should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to Zika-affected areas. If you've already traveled to an area with Zika risk, the waiting periods are as follows:
For women: Wait at least two months after returning from travel (or after symptom onset if you became ill) before trying to conceive.
For men: The guidance is more conservative because Zika can persist in semen longer than in other bodily fluids. Men should wait at least three months after potential exposure. If symptoms developed, this extends to six months before attempting to conceive.
These recommendations reflect our current understanding of how long the virus can remain in the body and pose a transmission risk.
A Measured Approach to Risk
Unlike the height of the 2016 outbreak, we now have years of research and experience to guide us. While Zika remains a concern for pregnancy planning, the dramatic reduction in cases and improved understanding of transmission means many couples can travel with appropriate precautions.
The key is making informed decisions. Before any travel to tropical or subtropical regions, have an honest conversation with your healthcare provider about your pregnancy plans, the current Zika situation in your destination, and whether the trip is worth the potential delay in starting your family.
Remember, if you're already pregnant or actively trying to conceive, it may be wisest to postpone travel to affected areas altogether. But if you're in the earlier stages of family planning, with proper precautions and respect for the recommended waiting periods, you can still enjoy your travels while protecting your future pregnancy.
