With Spring Break right around the corner, many Homestead students have plans to travel out of the country to popular spring break destinations such as the Caribbean and Mexico, for fun in the sun and sandy beaches. One of the only dangers was sunburn, until now.

 There is a new uncovered virus called Zika, spread by a mosquito that bites and causes flu like symptoms. Scientists have warned people there will not be a cure for a few years so they are taking extreme measures to prevent Zika from coming into the United States. Zika became detected in Brazil in early January and spread quickly around South America, and the popular vacation destinations such as, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The Zika virus, according to the World Health Organization,  can cause a mild fever, rash and headaches, joint or muscle pains and red eyes, with one out of four people not getting any symptoms at all.  

The U.S. Center of Disease Control (CDC) warned pregnant women to avoid travel to certain countries due to the virus potentially leading to microcephaly, a disorder that results in a baby being born with a small head. Microcephaly causes severe developmental issues, brain damage and sometimes death. The most worrisome aspect of the virus for young people is the unknown long-lasting effects the virus can cause.

According to USA Today, so far three major airlines — United, Delta and American Airlines — are allowing customers to cancel or postpone their trips if they are ticketed to fly to areas affected by Zika.

However, according to a New York Times article published Jan 28, 2016, Ingrid Rocafort, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, said, “None of our tourism operators are in despair; the virus epidemics do not scare visitors away, and we predict a record 9.5 million visitors this season as opposed to 7.9 million in 2013.”

So are Homestead students worried to travel to Zika infected areas, or is the week of fun in the sun to hard to pass up?

“I am not afraid of no ghost in Mexico,” Jordan Kranich, senior, said.

“Zika ain’t gonna stop my fun in Mexico,” Jimmy Oats, senior, stated.

If you are planning to travel to affected areas for Spring Break, take these tips from the CDC that warned people to wear long sleeved shirt and pants, stay in places with air conditioning or that have window and door screens and most of all wear tons of insect repellant.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Pictured is a map of Brazil where the virus began. Zika was detected in the public in early January, 2016.