Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

As we near the end of the spring semester, we wanted to share with you an important reminder from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) to take precautions to minimize the risk of contracting Zika, as many of you make plans for travel during the summer break.

News Release from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

As Maryland college students study for final exams and complete their projects, travel can factor heavily into their summer plans. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reminding them and their families to take precautions to minimize the risk of contracting Zika.

"Planned summer vacations could take Marylanders to popular destinations where the Zika virus is being spread by mosquito and through sexual contact," said Secretary Van T. Mitchell. "We are reminding our residents to exercise caution, given the link between Zika infection of pregnant women and the occurrence of birth defects in their babies."

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zika virus is chiefly spread through mosquito bites, though less frequently, transmission via sexual contact, blood transfusion and to newborns during pregnancy has been documented. Because of the link between Zika and the microcephaly birth defect, characterized by smaller heads and underdeveloped brains in newborns, the CDC recommends that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus is spreading. These areas now include several additional countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant are advised to not travel to countries with known Zika transmission. Travelers also should be sure to guard against mosquito bites for the seven days after they return home, to prevent a mosquito from passing on any potential infection.

The CDC says most infected people are non-symptomatic. Men who have traveled to an area with Zika and whose partners are pregnant should use condoms every time they have sex – or they should abstain from sex – during the pregnancy.

Please see the full DHMH press release for more specific information on the countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found and advised steps travelers should consider when planning to visit any at-risk areas.