Pregnant women advised not to go to the Olympics

The Centers for Disease Control announced late Friday that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should reconsider travel to Brazil this summer for the 2016 Olympics.

Earlier on Friday, the CDC held a press briefing with updated information on the current status of Zika virus research. Zika virus, typically causing a mild illness in people who contract it, has been linked to much more serious conditions including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

"Because of the Zika outbreak, CDC recommends that pregnant women consider not traveling to the Olympics," CDC said in a statement.

Here are the CDC's recommendations for travel:

Women who are pregnant:

• Consider not going to the Olympics.
  

• If you must go to the Olympics, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider first; if you travel, you should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.
  

• If you have a male partner who goes to the Olympics, you may be at risk for sexual transmission of Zika. Either use condoms the right way, every time, or do not have sex during your pregnancy.
  

Women who are trying to become pregnant:

• Before you travel, talk to your health care provider about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection during your trip.
  

• You and your male partner should strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites .

Microcephaly is a condition in newborns in which the brain is underdeveloped, and the head is smaller in size. Guillain-Barré Syndrome can cause paralysis for periods of time.

It was only six weeks ago that the CDC announced its first travel advisory for parts of South and Central America, and the Caribbean, in relation to Zika. The disease is typically spread by mosquito, and more than two dozen countries have reported cases of local transmission.

Since then, CDC Director Tom Frieden says that three developments have been observed. Two of those developments were expected: The disease has spread rapidly in those regions, and hundreds of U.S. travelers have returned with symptoms of contracting Zika virus.

A third development was not expected, however: Frieden says the CDC has been surprised at numerous reports of sexual transmission of Zika virus. In at least Texas and Oregon, cases of Zika have been reported in women who had not traveled, but who had had sex with male partners who had recently traveled to affected countries. Sexual transmission complicates prevention, and the CDC has advised men who have symptoms or have had symptoms in the past week to avoid sex with pregnant partners or to consistently use condoms.

Since the January announcement, the question of whether Zika would affect the 2016 Olympics in Brazil has been at the forefront. Brazil is spending billions on hosting the games, and has tied tourism promotion efforts to the event.

For example, Brazil is waiving the visa requirement that typically costs tourists a couple hundred dollars.

The threat of Zika, however, could have an impact on attendance at the games. Not just with pregnant women, but also with women of childbearing age, and now potentially with men who could be concerned about passing on any virus to a partner at home.

It is also not yet known if Zika virus could impact attendance of female athletes.

The time period in which Zika virus is a threat to fetuses is not yet known.

"We're literally learning more about Zika every day," Frieden said.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.