Travel agents in the mid-state have reported a big drop in the number of people booking vacations in areas affected by the Zika Virus.
Andy Obot, the owner of Dove Travel and Cruises in Donelson said he noticed the drop off at the beginning of the year, and it has continued as the virus has spread.
He said people are clearly avoiding places like the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Brazil.
Obot said while the virus has not impacted travel in other parts of the world right now, if the virus spreads, it may have a big impact on his bottom line.
“We are worried about it, if it becomes a very serious issue in the future, that could cripple our business,” Obot said.
The Centers for Disease Control said pregnant women should postpone travel to a Zika affected area.
It also said people who have traveled to those areas should not have unprotected sex with pregnant women.
The agency stressed if you are infected, the most common symptoms are a fever, rash and joint pain that last only about a week.
The Zika virus is rarely fatal. The CDC said the best way to prevent the Zika virus is to avoid mosquito bites in areas affected with the virus.
