Zika Virus Prevention – What Can You Do?

Wear Clothing Treated With Insect Repellents

Doctors advise adults and children to wear clothing treated with insect repellents in Zika-prone areas. Travelers may wish to consider purchasing special outdoor clothing pre-treated with an insecticide called permethrin. This insecticide can also be purchased and sprayed on other clothes that will be used for the trip. Healthcare professionals recommend travelers to also spray permethrin on socks, shoes, and tents. Permethrin will provide protection through several washes, and it should never be sprayed directly on the skin. When selecting clothing, travelers should consider wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and the pants need to be tucked into the traveler's socks. Even if permethrin-treated clothing is used, it might still be beneficial to apply additional insect repellent to the skin. Lemon or eucalyptus oil, picaridin, para-menthane-diol, and IR3535 are safe to use for children over two years old, adults, and individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Insect repellent should never be applied to the skin of patients under two years old. When using repellent, it should be sprayed into the hands and rubbed onto the face; it should never be sprayed directly on the face or eyes.

Plan Travel Activities Around Risk Factors

Travelers to Zika-prone areas should plan travel activities around risk factors. We know pregnant women are advised not to travel to areas where a Zika outbreak is occurring. Patients can find out about current outbreaks through news sites and through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

If the patient does go on a trip to an area experiencing a Zika outbreak, they should limit outdoor activities such as water sports and hiking. Indoor activities in air-conditioned areas, including trips to museums, may be safer in terms of avoiding the Zika virus. Patients should also familiarize themselves with the symptoms of the Zika virus just in case. Symptoms normally develop within a week of infection, and patients should see their doctor for a prompt diagnosis. After returning from the trip, patients should continue to plan their activities in a way that reduces their exposure to mosquitoes for the next three weeks, and they should continue to wear insect repellent.