President Barack Obama stressed the seriousness of the growing concern that is the Zika virus, when he called for the rapid development of tests, vaccines and treatments of the illness that has been causing brain damage in South American regions.

According to Reuters, the U.S. president has placed high emphasis on preventive measures against the Zika virus, that could affect more areas in the coming months. "The president emphasized the need to accelerate research efforts to make available better diagnostic tests, to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and to ensure that all Americans have information about the Zika virus and steps they can take to better protect themselves from infection," the White House said in a statement.

The Zika virus is linked to various accounts of premature deaths and brain damage amongst babies in Brazil. Currently, the illness brought by the infection has no cure or vaccine, and also shows no symptoms in most cases. Mostly affected are pregnant mothers who gain the virus through mosquito bites, which then travels to pre-born babies causing complications in gestation.

USA Today reported that Airline company, American and United, is now accepting cancellation or postponement of flight bookings brought by concern over the Zika virus. "We are offering customers who are traveling to the affected regions the opportunity to rebook at a later date or receive a full refund," United spokesman Charles Hobart said in a statement to USA Today.

The offering to customers will cover travel itineraries to areas that have been confirmed to have traces of the Zika virus. In a statement given by the World Health Organization, it was said that it is expected that Zika will eventually spread to the United States and most of the Americas.

Some of the recommendations to prevent catching the virus include reducing and containing breeding sites of mosquitoes, wearing insect repellant and close monitoring especially for pregnant mothers who have been bitten by mosquitoes in Zika-confirmed areas.