Strive Statement regarding Zika Virus Travel Alerts in Latin America
(Updated October, 2017)
As many of you are aware, the CDC has issued a travel advisory to various parts of the world, including Central and South America, in response to the Zika Virus.
Strive-Peru students will not be at risk for Zika based on the following information:
– The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. The mosquitoes that spread Zika usually do not live at elevations above 6,500 feet (2,000 meters) because of environmental conditions and Strive students will only be at elevations above 2000m during the trip* (see map below).
– Zika can infect anyone but pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant in the immediate future are of primary concern to CDC and WHO officials due to the reports of birth-defects associated with infection. Symptoms have been reported as mild for individuals without considering pregnancy.
Strive staff are continuously monitoring news and are in touch with our contacts in Peru. We do not anticipate any changes being necessary to ensure a safe trip for our students and staff.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Strive or visit the Center for Disease Control or World Health organization websites.
Links for further reading:
CDC – Health Information for Travelers to Peru