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 The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which
is also known to carry the dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya
viruses. Health experts are unsure why the virus, which was first
detected in Africa in 1947 but unknown in the Americas until last
year, is spreading so rapidly in Brazil and neighboring countries.
Although research is still underway, significant evidence in Brazil
shows a link between Zika infections and rising cases of
microcephaly, a neurological disorder in which infants are born with
smaller craniums and brains.
"We'd like to suggest to all the women of fertile age that they take
steps to plan their pregnancies, and avoid getting pregnant between
this year and next," said Deputy Health Minister Eduardo Espinoza.
He said the government decided to make the announcement because
5,397 cases of the Zika virus had been detected in El Salvador in
2015 and the first few days of this year.
Official figures show 96 pregnant women are suspected of having
contracted the virus, but so far none have had babies born with
microcephaly.
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In Colombia, which has the second-highest Zika infection rate after
Brazil, the government is also advising women to delay becoming
pregnant, but only for six to eight months.
(Reporting by Nelson Renteria; Writing by Gabriel Stargardter;
Editing by Richard Chang)
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