Zika Virus In Disneyland? Expert Warns Parents Of Travel To Florida In The Summer

Pregnant women and couples who are planning to have a baby should skip Disney World in Florida and other southern destinations this summer. An expert warned that the Zika virus threat might escalate during the season and those planning trips to some of these popular destinations are going to be vulnerable.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Professor Jimmy Whitworth warned that parents must think twice about their holiday plans this summer. If the family is planning to visit Florida, Texas and Louisiana, they should reconsider and switch to a different destination because of the Zika virus' increasing threat, per Daily Mail.

The Center for Disease Control has logged at least 121 Zika cases in Florida alone, but these are travel-associated situations. Meaning, that the victims were infected after visiting other countries where Zika is present. There are still no known cases of locally-acquired Zika virus infection in Florida, but the professor believes it's going to happen soon as heat builds up in the region.

"We don't think there's any Zika in mosquitoes in the US right now," the professor told Daily Mail. But he stressed that it might change quickly in two to three months. Experts believe that Zika virus thrives when the weather is warmer as the number of mosquitoes increase.

However, Florida's government is confident it will be able to handle a Zika outbreak, should a local case arise. Republican Gov. Rick Scott said that they are setting up plans with the state's Department of Health and its mosquito experts, per Miami Herald.

Over 50 million visitors travel to Disney in Orlando, Florida yearly and summer is its busiest season. Per Dad's Guide To Disney World, the world's happiest place has an efficient pest control system all year round pest control. Bookings to the theme park apparently come with Zika advisory as well to inform its visitors.

However, if parents are still concerned, they can get a refund for their planned summer trip Disney, via the site's refund policy. If families still plan on pursuing their trip, then they must pack insect repellents and wear protective clothing while in Florida to be safe from any mosquito bites.