Nigeria

The travel health consultation provides an opportunity to check whether routine immunisations are up to date such as MMR/MMRV and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccines. The following link provides information on the current recommended immunisation schedule recommended in the UK.

Country-specific diphtheria recommendations are not provided here. Diphtheria, tetanus and polio are combined in a single vaccine in the UK. Therefore, when a tetanus booster is recommended for travellers, diphtheria vaccine is also given. In the event of a diphtheria outbreak in a country, specific diphtheria vaccination guidance will be provided.

For individuals with an uncertain or incomplete immunisation history please find guidance for health professionals here Vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation.

UKHSA provide an immunisation comparison tool for individuals who may have been vaccinated overseas UK and international immunisation schedules comparison tool.

Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choice, or certain underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines. See vaccine recommendations for these groups at the bottom of the 'Complete routine immunisation schedule' document. The individual disease chapters of the 'Green Book' Immunisation against infectious disease provides further details.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection transmitted through contaminated food and water or by direct contact with an infectious person. Symptoms are often mild or absent in young children, but the disease can be more serious with advancing age. Recovery can vary from weeks to months. Following hepatitis A infection immunity is lifelong.

Prevention

All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Hepatitis A vaccination

As hepatitis A vaccine is well tolerated and affords long-lasting protection, it is recommended for all previously unvaccinated travellers.

Hepatitis A in brief

Tetanus is caused by a toxin released from Clostridium tetani bacteria and occurs worldwide. Tetanus bacteria are present in soil and manure and may be introduced through open wounds such as a puncture wound, burn or scratch.

Prevention

Travellers should thoroughly clean all wounds and seek medical attention for injuries such as animal bites/scratches, burns or wounds contaminated with soil.

Tetanus vaccination

• Travellers should have completed a tetanus vaccination course according to the UK schedule.
• If travelling to a country or area where medical facilities may be limited, a booster dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine is recommended if the last dose was more than ten years ago even if five doses of vaccine have been given previously.

Country-specific information on medical facilities may be found in the 'health' section of the FCDO foreign travel advice pages.

Tetanus in brief

Typhoid is a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food and water. Previous typhoid illness may only partially protect against re-infection.

Vaccination is recommended for most travellers, particularly travellers visiting friends and relatives, those in contact with an infected person, young children, frequent or long-stay travellers visiting areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor, and laboratory personnel who may handle the bacteria for their work.

Prevention

All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Typhoid vaccination

• Oral and injectable typhoid vaccinations are available.

Typhoid in brief

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk, but may also bite at night, especially in the jungle environment. Symptoms may be absent or mild, but in severe cases, it can cause internal bleeding, organ failure and death

Yellow fever in Nigeria

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission throughout this country (see below).

Prevention

All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dawn and dusk.

Yellow fever vaccination

• Vaccination is recommended for travellers aged 9 months and older.
• See vaccine recommendation map below.

The yellow fever vaccine is not suitable for all travellers, there are specific undesirable effects associated with it. This vaccine is only available at registered yellow fever vaccination centres. Health professionals should carefully assess the risks and benefits of the vaccine, and seek specialist advice if necessary.

Yellow fever in brief

Yellow fever vaccine recommendation map for Nigeria

• Click on map to open in a new window

Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which bite mainly during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness and can cause severe joint and muscles pains which usually improve in 1–2 weeks but may persist for months or years. It is rarely fatal.

Chikungunya in Nigeria

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.

Information on current outbreaks, where available, will be reported on our outbreak surveillance database.

Prevention

• Travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.

Chikungunya vaccination

Vaccination may be considered for individuals aged 12 years of age and over who are:

• travelling to regions with a current chikungunya outbreak
• long-term or frequent travellers to regions with an increased risk of chikungunya
• exposed to the chikungunya virus through their work, such as laboratory staff working with the virus

Detailed advice about the use and contraindications of the available vaccines will be available in the green book chikungunya chapter in the coming months. For now, please see our chikungunya in brief page for details.

Chikungunya in brief

Cholera is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food and water. Cholera can cause severe watery diarrhoea, although mild infections are common. The risk of cholera for most travellers is low.

Prevention

All travellers should take care with personal, food and water hygiene.

Cholera vaccination

This oral vaccine is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk of infection or complications. This includes:

• humanitarian aid workers
• persons going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care
• other travellers to cholera risk areas, for whom vaccination is considered potentially beneficial (e.g. due to their occupation, activities or underlying health problems)

Cholera in brief

Dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which mainly feed during daytime hours. It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening illness. Severe dengue is rare in travellers.

The mosquitoes that spread dengue are more common in towns, cities and surrounding areas.

Dengue in Nigeria

There is a risk of dengue in this country.

Information on current outbreaks, where available, will be reported on our outbreak surveillance database.

Prevention

• Travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.

Dengue vaccination

Vaccination can be considered for individuals aged 4 years of age and older who have had dengue infection in the past and who are:

• travelling to areas where there is a risk of dengue infection or areas with an ongoing outbreak of dengue, or
• are exposed to dengue virus through their work, such as laboratory staff working with the virus

Exceptionally, vaccination can be considered in those who have not had dengue in the past. In these situations, further expert advice should be considered. Detailed guidance on how to ascertain previous infection is available in the UK Health Security Agency Immunisation against infectious disease the 'Green book'. The final decision on vaccination rests with the health professional and the traveller after a detailed risk assessment has been performed and the potential risks of vaccination explained.

Dengue in brief

Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids. This mostly occurs during sexual contact or as a result of blood-to-blood contact (for example from contaminated equipment during medical and dental procedures, tattooing or body piercing procedures, and sharing of intravenous needles). Mothers with the virus can also pass on the infection to their baby during childbirth.

Hepatitis B in Nigeria

This country is considered to have an intermediate or high prevalence of hepatitis B.

Prevention

Travellers should avoid contact with blood or body fluids. This includes:

• Avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Avoiding tattooing, piercing, public shaving, and acupuncture (unless sterile equipment is used).
• Not sharing needles or other injection equipment.
• Following universal precautions if working in a healthcare or other higher risk setting.

A sterile medical equipment kit may be helpful when travelling to resource poor areas.

Hepatitis B vaccination

Vaccination could be considered for all travellers and is recommended for those whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk. This includes:

• Those who may have unprotected sex.
• Those who may be exposed to contaminated needles through injecting drug use.
• Those who may be exposed to blood or body fluids through their work (e.g. health and aid workers).
• Those at high risk of requiring medical or dental procedures or hospitalisation e.g. those with pre-existing medical conditions, those who may require travelling for medical care abroad, or those travelling to visit families or relatives.
• Long-stay travellers.
• Those who are participating in contact sports.
• Families adopting children from this country.

Hepatitis B in brief

Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, spread by airborne or droplet (coughing, sneezing, drops from mouth/nose) transmission. Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms e.g. fever, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis (sore, red eyes). This is followed by a blotchy rash starting on the face/head and spreading to the rest of the body.

Complications of measles infection can include ear infections, diarrhoea, pneumonia and convulsions (fits). Life-threatening complications such as encephalitis (brain inflammation) can occur on rare occasions. Measles can have serious consequences especially in children under 1 year of age, immunosuppressed individuals (those with a weakened immune system) and during pregnancy.

Measles in Nigeria

Measles is either 'endemic' (continuous transmission in a 12-month period) and/or the measles risk is assessed to be greater than in the UK due to current outbreaks, conflict, damaged infrastructure, travel-related cases or poor vaccine coverage.

Prevention

All travellers should follow good respiratory hygiene rules and avoid contact with individuals with measles infection.

Measles vaccination

All travellers should make sure they are up to date with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) vaccines, according to current UK recommendations.

Guidance on vaccinating adults can be found in Measles: the green book chapter – GOV.UK.

Consider early Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)/Measles Mumps Rubella Varicella (MMRV) vaccination for infants and children.

• Infants from six months of age who are likely to be mixing with local people, should receive a MMR vaccine. The MMRV vaccine can be given from nine months of age if MMR is not available at the time of the appointment.
• Not all children will respond to MMR/MMRV given in the first year of life. When the vaccine has been given before one year of age this dose should be discounted and two further doses of MMR/MMRV should be given at the recommended ages.
• Children who are travelling and have already received one dose of MMR/MMRV at the routine age should have the second dose brought forward to at least one month after the first.
• If a child is given the second dose less than three months after the first dose and is less than 18 months of age, then the routine 18-month dose (which would constitute a third dose) should be given in order to provide optimum protection.

Measles in brief

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious bacterial infection spread by close or direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected (usually asymptomatic) person, often through coughing and sneezing or sharing cooking utensils. This is usually after lengthy and/or frequent close contact. The most common types of IMD are meningococcal meningitis (infection of the protective lining around the brain) and septicaemia (blood poisoning).

Non-invasive meningococcal disease includes conjunctivitis, which can put the individual traveller (and any of their close contacts) at risk of developing IMD.

Travellers at increased risk include health workers, people visiting friends and relatives and long-stay travellers in close contact with local people.

Meningococcal disease in Nigeria

This country is part of the extended meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevention

Whenever possible, travellers should avoid overcrowded conditions and follow good respiratory hygiene rules.

Meningococcal disease vaccination

Meningococcal ACWY conjugate vaccine is recommended for travellers whose activities or medical condition put them at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including:

• healthcare workers
• people visiting friends and relatives
• 'rough' travellers such as backpackers
• long-stay travellers who have close contact with local people
• travellers with certain rare immune system problems called complement disorders
• people whose spleen does not work properly (hyposplenia) or who do not have a spleen (asplenia)

Meningococcal disease in brief

Polio is caused by one of three types of polio virus and is transmitted by contaminated food and water. Previous infection with one type of polio virus does not protect against other types of the virus.

Those at increased risk include travellers who are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated visiting friends and relatives, those in direct contact with an infected person, long-stay travellers, and those visiting areas of poor sanitation.

Polio in Nigeria

This country is infected with circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 3 (cVDPV3) with the potential risk of international spread. This country has also reported cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).

Prevention

All travellers should take care with personal and food and water hygiene.

Polio vaccination

• All travellers should have completed a polio vaccination course according to the UK schedule.
• A booster dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is recommended for the following travellers if they have not had a polio containing vaccine within a year of their planned departure from this country:
• Immunosuppressed individuals and their household contacts, pregnant women, or others for whom live oral polio vaccine is contraindicated, who plan to travel to this country for 4 weeks or more.
• Travellers to settings with extremely poor hygiene (e.g. refugee camps), or likely to be in close proximity with cases (e.g. healthcare workers).
• A booster dose of IPV containing vaccine should also be considered for immunosuppressed individuals travelling for less than 4 weeks to an area with circulating wild or vaccine-derived virus if they have not received a dose within the previous 10 years.
• Polio vaccination should be recorded on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).
• For other travellers who are up to date with their UK schedule, further vaccination is not routinely recommended. Proof of polio vaccination recorded on an ICVP given 4 weeks to 12 months before departure from this country, may be required on exit.
• Failure to produce an ICVP may result in vaccination with live oral polio vaccine on departure. For most individuals, this should cause no problems but those with weakened immune systems (and others for whom live oral vaccine is contraindicated; see above) should NOT receive live oral polio vaccine.
• Supply of International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (polio vaccination).

Polio in brief

Rabies is a viral infection which is usually transmitted following contact with the saliva of an infected animal most often via a bite, scratch or lick to an open wound or mucous membrane (such as on the eye, nose or mouth). Although many different animals can transmit the virus, most cases follow a bite or scratch from an infected dog. In some parts of the world, bats are an important source of infection.

Rabies symptoms can take some time to develop, but when they do, the condition is almost always fatal.

The risk of exposure is increased by certain activities and length of stay (see below). Children are at increased risk as they are less likely to avoid contact with animals and to report a bite, scratch or lick.

Rabies in Nigeria

Rabies is considered a risk and has been reported in domestic animals in this country. Bats may also carry rabies-like viruses.

Prevention

• Travellers should avoid contact with all animals. Rabies is preventable with prompt post-exposure treatment.
• Following a possible exposure, wounds should be thoroughly cleansed and an urgent local medical assessment sought, even if the wound appears trivial.
• Post-exposure treatment and advice should be in accordance with national guidelines.
  

Rabies vaccination

A full course of pre-exposure vaccines simplifies and shortens the course of post-exposure treatment and removes the need for rabies immunoglobulin which is in short supply world-wide.

Pre-exposure vaccinations are recommended for travellers whose activities put them at increased risk including:

• those at risk due to their work (e.g. laboratory staff working with the virus, those working with animals or health workers who may be caring for infected patients).
• those travelling to areas where access to post-exposure treatment and medical care is limited.
• those planning higher risk activities such as running or cycling.
• long-stay travellers (more than one month).

Rabies in brief

TB is a bacterial infection most commonly affecting the lungs but can affect any part of the body. When a person with TB in their lungs or throat coughs or sneezes they could pass TB on to other people. TB is curable but can be serious if not treated.

The BCG vaccination helps to protect some people, particularly babies and young children who are at increased risk from TB.

Tuberculosis in Nigeria

This country has reported an annual TB incidence of greater than or equal to 40 cases per 100,000 population at least once in the last five years (further details).

Prevention

Travellers should avoid close contact with individuals known to have infectious pulmonary (lung) or laryngeal (throat) TB.

Those at risk during their work (such as healthcare workers) should take appropriate infection control and prevention precautions.

Tuberculosis (BCG) vaccination

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk of developing severe disease and/or of exposure to TB infection. See UK Health Security Agency Immunisation against infectious disease, the 'Green Book'.

For travellers, BCG vaccine is recommended for:

• Unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live for more than 3 months in this country. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to vaccination for all children from 6 years of age and may be recommended for some younger children.
• Unvaccinated, tuberculin skin test-negative individuals at risk due to their work such as healthcare or laboratory workers who have direct contact with TB patients or potentially infectious clinical material and vets and abattoir workers who handle animal material, which could be infected with TB.

There are specific contraindications to BCG vaccine. Health professionals must be trained and assessed as competent to administer this vaccine intradermally.

Following administration, no further vaccines should be administered in the same limb for 3 months.

The BCG vaccine is given once only, booster doses are not recommended.

Tuberculosis in brief

Atovaquone 250mg/Proguanil 100mg combination preparation:

• start one to two days before arrival in the malaria risk area
• for adults, one tablet is taken every day, ideally at the same time of day for the duration of the time in a malaria risk area and daily for seven days after leaving the malaria risk area
• take with a fatty meal if possible
• for children paediatric tablets are available and the dose is based on body weight (see table below)

Doxycycline 100mg:

• start one to two days before arrival in the malaria risk area
• adults and children over 12 years of age take 100mg daily, ideally at the same time of day for the duration of the time in a malaria risk area and daily for four weeks after leaving the malaria risk area
• take with food if possible; avoid taking this drug just before lying down
• not suitable for children under 12 years of age

Mefloquine 250mg:

• this drug is taken weekly, adults take one 250mg tablet each week
• start two to three weeks before arrival in the malaria risk area and continue weekly until four weeks after leaving the malaria risk area
• for children the dose is based on the body weight (see table below)

Insect or tick bites can cause irritation and infections of the skin at the site of a bite. They can also spread certain diseases.

Diseases in Western Africa

There is a risk of insect or tick-borne diseases in some areas of West Africa. This includes diseases such as African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), African tick bite fever, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, leishmaniasis, Rift Valley fever and West Nile virus.

Prevention

• All travellers should avoid insect and tick bites day and night.
• There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent these diseases.

Further information about specific insect or tick-borne diseases for this country can be found, if appropriate on this page, in other sections of the country information pages and the insect and tick bite avoidance factsheet.

Seasonal influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory tract and spreads easily from person to person via respiratory droplets when coughing and sneezing. Symptoms appear rapidly and include fever, muscle aches, headache, malaise (feeling unwell), cough, sore throat and a runny nose. In healthy individuals, symptoms improve without treatment within two to seven days. Severe illness is more common in those aged 65 years or over, those under 2 years of age, or those who have underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for complications of influenza.

Seasonal influenza in Nigeria

Seasonal influenza occurs throughout the world. In the northern hemisphere (including the UK), most influenza occurs from as early as October through to March. In the southern hemisphere, influenza mostly occurs between April and September. In the tropics, influenza can occur throughout the year.

Prevention

All travellers should:

• Avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals
• Avoid crowded conditions where possible
• Wash their hands frequently
• Practise ‘cough hygiene’: sneezing or coughing into a tissue and promptly discarding it safely, and washing their hands
• Avoid travel if unwell with influenza-like symptoms
• A vaccine is available in certain circumstances (see below)*

*In the UK, seasonal influenza vaccine is offered routinely each year to those at higher risk of developing of severe disease following influenza infection, and certain additional groups such as healthcare workers and children as part of the UK national schedule (see information on vaccination). For those who do not fall into these groups, vaccination may be available privately.

If individuals at higher risk of severe disease following influenza infection are travelling to a country when influenza is likely to be circulating they should ensure they received a flu vaccination in the previous 12 months.

The vaccine used in the UK protects against the strains predicted to occur during the winter months of the northern hemisphere. It is not possible to obtain vaccine for the southern hemisphere in the UK, but the vaccine used during the UK influenza season should still provide important protection against strains likely to occur during the southern hemisphere influenza season, and in the tropics.

Avian influenza

Avian influenza viruses can rarely infect and cause disease in humans. Such cases are usually associated with close exposure to infected bird or animal populations. Where appropriate, information on these will be available in the outbreaks and news sections of the relevant country pages. Seasonal influenza vaccines will not provide protection against avian influenza.

Avian influenza in brief

Poor air quality is a significant public health problem in many parts of the world. Exposure to high levels of air pollution over short time periods (e.g. minutes/hours/days) and longer time periods (e.g. years) is linked to many different acute and chronic health problems. These effects are mainly on the respiratory (lungs and airways) and cardiovascular (heart function and blood circulation) systems.

Current information on world air quality is available from the world air quality index project.

Prevention

Travellers with health problems that might make them more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution who are travelling to areas of high pollution should:

• discuss their travel plans with their doctor, and carry adequate supplies of their regular medication.
• take sensible precautions to minimise their exposure to high levels of air pollution.
• check local air quality data and amend their activities accordingly.
• take notice of any health advisories published by the local Ministry of Health and Department for Environment, and follow the guidance provided.

It is unclear if face masks are beneficial at reducing exposure and may make breathing more difficult for those with pre-existing lung conditions. Those who choose to use one should make sure that the mask fits well and know how to wear it properly.

Outdoor air quality in brief

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection. Schistosoma larvae are released from infected freshwater snails and can penetrate intact human skin following contact with contaminated freshwater. Travellers may be exposed during activities such as wading, swimming, bathing or washing clothes in freshwater streams, rivers or lakes.

Schistosomiasis infection may cause no symptoms, but early symptoms can include a rash and itchy skin ('swimmer's itch'), fever, chills, cough, or muscle aches. If not treated, it can cause serious long term health problems such as intestinal or bladder disease.

Schistosomiasis in Nigeria

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this country.

Prevention

• There is no vaccine or tablets to prevent schistosomiasis.
• All travellers should avoid wading, swimming, or bathing in fresh water. Swimming in adequately chlorinated water or sea water is not a risk for schistosomiasis.
• Drink water that is boiled, filtered or bottled.
• Application of insect repellent before exposure to fresh water, or towel drying after possible exposure to schistosomiasis are not reliable in preventing infection.
• All travellers who may have been exposed to schistosomiasis should have a health check to test for schistosomiasis infection.

Schistosomiasis in brief

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of viral, bacterial and parasitic infections spread during sexual intercourse or by intimate contact. Certain STIs can be more difficult to treat due to higher levels of antibiotic resistance and some STIs that are rare in the UK may be more common in other world regions.

Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of getting an STI wherever they are in the world.

Risk is higher for travellers who:

• have sex without a condom
• have sex with new or casual partners
• engage in sex tourism
• have sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Symptoms of STIs vary depending on the type of infection; some may only cause mild or unnoticeable symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include a rash, discharge, itching, blisters, sores or warts in genital and/or anal areas, pain when peeing and flu like symptoms.

If left untreated, STIs can cause serious long term health issues such as fertility problems, pelvic inflammatory disease and pregnancy complications.

Prevention

Using condoms consistently and correctly with new or casual partners is the most effective way to reduce risk of STIs.

Travellers can also reduce their risk of STIs by:

• ensuring they are up to date for all UK recommended vaccines, including if appropriate gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, mpox and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines
• considering HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) if appropriate

Travellers should seek medical advice and give their travel history if they think they may have an STI, even if they have no symptoms. They should also have a test for STIs if they have had sex without condoms with a new or casual partner while abroad.

In the UK STI testing is free and confidential.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes which predominantly feed during daytime hours. A small number of cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV have also been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and short-lived. Serious complications and deaths are not common. However, ZIKV is a cause of Congenital Zika Syndrome (microcephaly and other congenital anomalies) and neurological complications such as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Zika virus in Nigeria

There is a risk of Zika virus in this country. Details of specific affected areas within this country are not available, but information on current outbreaks where available will be reported on our outbreak surveillance database.

Pregnant women should discuss the suitability of travel and the potential risk that Zika virus may present with their health care provider.

Prevention

• All travellers should avoid mosquito bites, particularly during daytime hours.
• There is no vaccination or medication to prevent Zika virus infection.
• Women should avoid becoming pregnant while travelling in this country, and for 2 months (8 weeks) after their last possible Zika virus exposure* (see below if male partner has travelled).
• If a woman develops symptoms compatible with Zika virus infection, it is recommended she avoids becoming pregnant for a further 2 months following recovery.
• Women who visited this country while pregnant, or who become pregnant within 2 months after their last possible Zika virus exposure*, should contact their GP, obstetrician or midwife for further advice, even if they have not been unwell.

Please note screening of returning travellers without Zika virus symptoms is not available on the NHS. Couples planning pregnancy in the very near future should consider whether they should avoid travel to a country or area with risk of Zika virus, rather than delay conception for the recommended period (see below) after travel. This particularly includes couples in assisted fertility programmes.

Prevention of sexual transmission

Couples should follow guidance on prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus and avoid conception as follows:

• If both partners travelled, for 3 months after last possible Zika virus exposure.*
• Male traveller only, for 3 months after last possible Zika virus exposure.*
• Female traveller only, for 2 months after last possible Zika virus exposure.*

See further information for pregnant women, their partners and couples planning pregnancy.

*Last possible Zika virus exposure is defined as the later of either the date of leaving a country or area with risk for Zika virus transmission, or the date on which unprotected sexual contact with a potentially infectious partner took place.

See detailed guidance on factors to consider when assessing the risk of Zika virus.

Zika virus in brief