US WARNS OF ZIKA RISK IN CUBA

Posted on 03/21/2016 | About Cuba

The United States warned of the risk of the Zika virus in Cuba just as President Barack Obama headed to the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's adding Cuba to its travel notice for Zika. The notice warns travellers they are at risk of contracting the virus.Zika is spread though bites from a specific mosquito and is believed to carry particular risk for birth defects. The CDC advises pregnant women not to travel to places with Zika.Obama arrived in Cuba on Sunday on a three-day trip. It's the first trip to the country by a sitting US president in nearly 90 years.The Obama administration says the virus hasn't been a factor in Obama's travel decisions and isn't expected to be in the future.