It’s for Meghan’s safety!
Royal fans have been breathlessly awaiting news of a new royal bub since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were married in May.
But there’s a very good reason why the Duchess hasn’t fallen pregnant yet.
As part of their royal duties, Meghan and Harry are set to visit countries that pose the risk to visitors of contracting the Zika virus.
Fiji and Tonga — two places listed on their tour itinerary, have been classified as posing “a risk of Zika virus transmission,” after a shock outbreak of the mosquito-borne virus.
The UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre advises women to “avoid conception while travelling and for up to six months on return” when visiting countries where the virus is at large.
“It is recommended that you avoid becoming pregnant while travelling to an area with high or moderate risk of Zika virus transmission, and for eight weeks after you return home.
“It is also recommended that you take folic acid supplements for 28 days before trying to get pregnant.
“If your male partner has travelled to an area with high or moderate risk of Zika virus transmission, you should use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy and condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex to reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
“These measures should be taken during travel and for six months after start of symptoms (if he does experience Zika symptoms or a Zika virus infection has been confirmed by a doctor) or following his return home (if he has no Zika symptoms).”
Pregnant women are also warned against visiting at all – as the virus is known to create birth defects and microcephaly – a condition where a baby’s brain does not develop properly, resulting in a smaller head. This rules out any current theories that the Duchess is with child.
A source told the Daily Mirror:
“The Duke and Duchess will have taken advice at the highest level before deciding that they were happy to go ahead and plan the trip.”
Meghan and Harry’s tour begins on October 16 in Sydney and ends on October 31 in New Zealand – meaning that if they followed this advice, they’d be unable to try for a baby until April next year.
SEE ALSO: The truth behind why capsicums are different colours will blow your mind
SEE ALSO: 7-Eleven’s $3 coffee ‘rip off’ exposed
Image: ITV / Getty
Written by Hayley
