Health

Caribbean Losing American Tourists As Zika Fears Spread, New Reuters Poll Reveals

ST. CROIX -- The Zika virus is discouraging many Americans from traveling to Latin America and the Caribbean, with 41 percent of those aware of the disease saying they are less likely to take such a trip, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, via CNBC. The poll is the latest sign that the virus -- which is possibly linked to microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with brain damage and unusually small heads -- could depress travel to popular Caribbean destinations, including cold weather getaways like the territory. Airlines and cruise ship operators have yet to report drops in bookings because of Zika, and analysts have downplayed the impact that pregnant women, who they contend would most likely be home taking care of their children, will have on  the travel industry. But awareness of the mosquito-borne virus has surged to nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to the poll of 1,595 adults in the United States conducted Feb. 1-5. That compares with 45 percent who h...