Travel news: Pregnant women (& their intimate partners) should avoid traveling to certain countries, including several Latin American countries and the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico) where Zika virus infections have resulted in brain damage in babies. The Zika virus is spread by mosquitos; infection in pregnant women can result in fetal death and/or microcephaly (a serious birth defect where babies are born with a small brain and developmental abnormalities). The current Zika virus outbreak is relatively recent, first appearing in South America in May. It has now spread to several South American countries, Mexico and the Carribean, amongst others. To find out where the Zika virus is around the world, visit the CDC map and check their website for regular updates. The Zika virus produces no or mild symptoms in adults who contract the virus, but the effects of the virus on a developing baby can be devastating, resulting in severe brain damage in babies who survive. Zika virus infections have been reported in the United States in Texas and Hawaii (as reported in a recent NY Times article here). At the time of this article, there is no vaccine against the Zika virus and pregnant women should avoid travel to any and all areas where the virus is present.