It is suspected that there is a link between expectant mothers getting Zika, and their babies being born with microcephaly (an abnormally small head). This can be deadly, and some children who survive face intellectual disability, vision problems and development delays.
A group of Brazilian lawyers, activists and scientists have decided to ask the country's supreme court to allow abortions for women who have contracted the virus.
Some people have argued that women have little choice over their pregnancies, as abortion and contraception are not widely available in the region.
Abortions are illegal in Brazil, except in health emergencies or cases of rape or the fatal foetal abnormality called anencephaly, where a large part of the brain and skull is missing.
Of the countries where women have been advised to postpone pregnancy:
What has the Vatican said?
Latin America is largely Catholic. The Church opposes all forms of abortion. Contraception is also against Church rules.
The BBC asked the Vatican press office on Friday whether teaching would be amended on contraception or abortion. A spokesperson said: "For the moment there is no comment about this."
Q&A: Abortion rules in Zika-affected countries - BBC News
A group of Brazilian lawyers, activists and scientists have decided to ask the country's supreme court to allow abortions for women who have contracted the virus.
Some people have argued that women have little choice over their pregnancies, as abortion and contraception are not widely available in the region.
Abortions are illegal in Brazil, except in health emergencies or cases of rape or the fatal foetal abnormality called anencephaly, where a large part of the brain and skull is missing.
Of the countries where women have been advised to postpone pregnancy:
- In Colombia, abortion is allowed only in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, severe damage to the health of the mother, and when the pregnancy was the result of rape
- Abortion is completely illegal in El Salvador and women face a jail term for having their pregnancies terminated in any circumstances
- In Ecuador, abortions are only permitted to preserve the life or health of a pregnant woman, or when a woman with mental health problems has been raped
- Abortion is illegal in Jamaica, except when the woman has been the victim of a sexual crime or when the abortion will save a woman's life. There are exceptions in case law to protect the woman's health
- Puerto Rico is covered by the US Constitution which allows a woman to choose an abortion for any reason, but it has a law on the books that prohibits abortion unless it is to protect the woman's life or health
What has the Vatican said?
Latin America is largely Catholic. The Church opposes all forms of abortion. Contraception is also against Church rules.
The BBC asked the Vatican press office on Friday whether teaching would be amended on contraception or abortion. A spokesperson said: "For the moment there is no comment about this."
Q&A: Abortion rules in Zika-affected countries - BBC News
