Alaska Airlines offers flexible travel policy if you have flights to areas affected by Zika virus

SEATTLE -- Alaska Airlines announced a  flexible travel policy for customers with current reservations to destinations reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be affected by the Zika virus.

Those destinations are Liberia; Costa Rica (LIR); San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO); and these Mexican cities -- Cancun (CUN), Guadalajara (GDL), Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (ZIH), Loreto (LTO), Los Cabos (SJD), Manzanillo (ZLO), Mazatlan (MZT), Puerto Vallarta (PVR)

Alaska said that if you are ticketed for travel to the above cities between January 28, 2016 and February 29, 2016, you may change your ticket to another Alaska Airlines destination for no change fee. Additional fare and taxes may apply. You may also request a refund if you choose not to travel at all.

It said you should call Alaska Airlines reservations at 1-800-252-7522 (if calling from within Mexico, call 001-800-252-7522) for assistance. Changes must be made, and new travel must be completed by Feb. 29, 2016.

The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness with symptoms that include a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. One in five people who get infected will develop symptoms. The illness is described as mild, with symptoms developing two to seven days after infection, and lasting anywhere from several days to a week. It is also believed to cause birth defects in some pregnant women.

Learn more at http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html.