Dr Ivan Muscat, a consultant microbiologist at the Hospital, says that Jersey has ‘strengthened’ its advice to mothers-to-be, in line with Public Health England, adding that due to the change in advice, GPs can issue a medical certificate to pregnant women who are booked to travel to Zika affected areas to assist with possible insurance claims.
Previously, advice for pregnant women was to reconsider travelling to affected areas due to the potential harm the virus could cause to babies in the womb.
The Zika virus is carried by the Aedes mosquito which is not found in Jersey but has been detected in more than 20 American countries.
