OTTAWA, Canada (CMC) – Canada has joined the United States in issuing a travel advisory for pregnant women traveling to the Caribbean in the wake of the outbreak of the Zika virus.

“It is recommended that pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant discuss their travel plans with their health care provider to assess their risk and consider postponing travel to areas where the Zika virus is circulating in the Americas,” said the Public Health Agency of Canada in a statement issued here.

“If travel cannot be postponed then strict mosquito bite prevention measures should be followed to protect themselves against bites,” it added, stating that this should be done particularly for those travelling to areas where Zika virus is circulating.

“There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection,” warned the Public Health Agency of Canada, urging potential travelers to consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before travel.

“Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times, as the Zika virus is transmitted by a mosquito that can bite in daylight and evening hours,” it said. “This includes the use of insect repellant and protective clothing.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said prevention measures include, using bed nets, and wearing long-sleeved, loose fitting shirts tucked into long pants.

“If you develop symptoms similar to Zika virus infection when you are travelling, or after you return, see a health care provider and tell them where you have been travelling or living,” it said.

In 2015, Zika virus was reported for the first time in a number of countries in Central and South America, as well as in Mexico. Past outbreaks of Zika virus infection have been reported in Africa, Asia and the Oceanic Pacific region.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said there have been travel-related cases of Zika virus reported in Canada in returned travelers from countries where the virus is known to circulate.

But it said there have been no reported cases of locally acquired Zika virus in Canada.

Canada’s warning comes as the Washington-based Pan American Organization (PAHO) cautioned that the Zika virus is spreading rapidly through the Americas, including the Caribbean, and could potentially reach all countries, except Canada and continental Chile.

PAHO’s Dominican-born director, Dr Carissa F Etienne, said, however, that countries of the Americas have been responding robustly to the Zika threat in collaboration.

She told health officials from around the world last week, during a briefing of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, that the region’s cooperation will continue as countries work to mitigate the impact of Zika.

Etienne said the most important prevention is effective mosquito control, “which requires action by national and local governments but also by individuals, families and communities to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in and around homes, workplaces and schools.”

“PAHO is a region with long experience in tackling mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya,” Etienne said. “I congratulate Brazil and all the other 21 countries in the Americas for their prompt reporting under the International Health Regulations.

IHR, as the regulations are known, is the WHO-managed global system through which Member States report on outbreaks of potential international concern.

WHO Director Dr Margaret Chan is meeting with the IHR Emergency Committee on Monday to discuss the Zika epidemic and what needs to be done at the global level to address the disease.

The committee will ascertain whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Since May 2015, PAHO said 22 countries and territories in the Americas have reported local transmission of Zika virus infections.