These viruses can occasionally be transmitted through blood, tissue or reproductive cells. 

The deferral period ensures there’s enough time for any potential infection risk to clear before treatment proceeds.

West Nile Virus:

• If you or your partner travel to an affected country, there’s a 28-day deferral from the date you return to Ireland.
  Countries currently affected include France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Turkey, among others.

Zika Virus:

• If only the female partner travels, there’s an 8-week deferral.
  If the male partner also travels (or travels alone), the deferral period increases to 12 weeks.
  Zika risk areas include parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, such as Mexico, Thailand, Brazil and the Maldives.

Chikungunya & Dengue Virus:

• These viruses are spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While the risk of transmission during pregnancy appears low, travel to certain areas of France and Italy may require a 28-day waiting period before treatment.
  Affected regions currently include:
  – Occitanie region, France
  – Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, France
  – La Réunion (France)
  – Castel San Giovanni and Budrio (Emilia-Romagna region, Italy)

If you’re planning a trip abroad while undergoing fertility treatment or preparing to start, please let our team know in advance. We can advise on any waiting periods that might apply and help you plan your cycle accordingly.

A little preparation can prevent disappointment later, especially if you’re hoping to start treatment soon after returning home.

*We also advise checking for the latest updates and full country lists on the official European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website before travelling.

*Current List of Affected Countries 

West Nile Virus-Countries Affected:

• Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Turkiye.

Zika Virus – Countries Affected:

• Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, British Virgin Isles, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, France (Guyane), Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Micronesia, Federated States of Monserrat, Myanmar (Burma), Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Singapore, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Venezuela, Vietnam.

Chikungunya & Dengue Virus–Regions Affected:

– Occitanie region, France
– Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, France
– La Réunion (France)
– Castel San Giovanni and Budrio (Emilia-Romagna region, Italy)

*We also advise checking for the latest updates and full country lists on the official European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) website before travelling.