15 ways to keep yourself safe from Zika

Expectation assembles. Months spent arranging the littlest points of interest of a hotly anticipated excursion to an intriguing part of the world are near realization. Travel permits, pressing records and research into nearby conditions are checked off the schedule. Required inoculations have been confirmed too. It's an ideal opportunity to begin investigating.

Be that as it may, even with all the arranging, the rush of experience travel can be tempered by perusing about the danger of introduction to ailments not regularly experienced in the United States, including mosquito-borne ailments like jungle fever, dengue fever, West Nile Virus and Lyme ailment.

In 2016, another danger has been added to this rundown. The World Health Organization has called introduction to Zika infection a universal general wellbeing crisis. The infection is as of now found in Africa, Asia and Latin America, however researchers are concerned the types of mosquito in charge of spreading the Zika infection might move north toward the Caribbean and United States.

Spread through the chomp of an Aedes aegypti mosquito, the Zika Virus can bring about joint torment, fever and conjunctivitis. Much more genuine, Zika infection has likewise been connected to microcephaly, a neurological issue influencing pregnant ladies and their children.

One more indicate inspire you to give careful consideration to mosquitoes: deterrent antibodies and pharmaceuticals to treat Zika infection are not yet accessible. Yes, the truth is out. Perused that once more. Not yet accessible. The most ideal approach to maintain a strategic distance from introduction to the Zika infection is to keep away from mosquito nibbles.




1. Areas affected by the Zika virus include Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. You'll find a map and countries listed on the CDC's website.

If you are pregnant, you shouldn't travel to areas below 6,500 feet in altitude where Zika cases have been reported.

In fact, the CDC discourages pregnant women generally from traveling to places where Zika is spreading (Latin America and the Caribbean).

If you have booked your trip, see if you can cancel and receive a refund due to your pregnancy and the Zika risk at your destination. If you can't get a refund and decide to go, Dr. Amesh Adalja at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center for Health Security in Pennsylvania, says: “Practice meticulous prevention.”

2. If you are pregnant and your partner has visited an affected area, the CDC recommends abstaining from sex or using a condom. Experts say Zika virus may remain in semen for months, posing the risk of sexually transmitting the disease.

3. Use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Make sure you apply it to all exposed skin.

 'How to apply insect repellent'
This short video shows the proper way to apply insect repellent when spending time outdoors.
4. Read directions and apply insect repellent correctly. For example, travelers should apply sunscreen before repellent, not on top of it.

“Apply and let sunscreen dry before using insect repellent. You want the mosquito to land on the repellent, not your sunscreen,” travel medicine and public health specialist Dyan Summers says.

She recommends an insect repellent with 20% to 35% of the chemical DEET; more than 35% of the chemical known as diethyltoluamide can irritate skin.

The National Pest Management Assn. made a “how to” video that shows you how to properly apply insect repellent. Outdoor clothing and gear store REI offers a chart that shows what's in different repellents and how different types measure up.

5. Minimize exposed skin and wear light-colored long sleeved shirts and pants. Cindy Mannes of the pest association said mosquitoes are drawn to dark colors, floral patterns and sweet perfumes.

6. Wear clothing treated with permethrin, a chemical used as an insecticide. Insect Shield is a permethrin treatment for fabrics that offers protection though 70 machine washings.

Outdoor clothing manufacturer ExOfficio introduced Insect Shield garments in 2004. Its Bugsaway line includes shirts, pants, hoodies, hats and socks.

Other retailers that make similar bug-averse clothing include White Sierra and Outdoor Research.

7. Treat your own clothes, shoes, tents, etc. with a permethrin spray. Cutter insect repellent offers a popular spray for clothes and skin.

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8. Sleep under mosquito nets with windows and doors closed or securely screened if there is no air conditioning.

9. Make sure there's no standing water outside your lodging because mosquito eggs hatch in water.

10. Make yourself less appealing to mosquitoes by wearing deodorant and -- believe it or not -- avoiding drinking quite so much beer. Why?

Dr. Aileen Marty at Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine says  mosquitoes are drawn “to stinky bacteria” on our skin and odors such as beer breath.

“Researchers believe the pests are attracted to odor and breath changes caused by alcohol,” Marty writes via email.

The CDC on Monday said it would seek $1.9 billion in emergency funding from Congress to develop a vaccine against the disease. It also said there may be hundreds of thousands of infections in Puerto Rico.

The CDC's website also tells travelers that mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime, and the same mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus also spread the dengue and chikungunya viruses.


11. Avoid Breeding Grounds

The Aedes aegypti mosquito breeds in water containers left unattended—small bowls, flower pots, and pet dishes are prime examples. Avoid these potential breeding sites and keep an eye out for standing water, even very small amounts as mentioned above. If you see it, take your happy hour drink down the road.


12. Avoid Feeding Time

While conventional wisdom says you can avoid becoming a buffet table for swarming mosquitoes if you go indoors at sunset, the opposite is true here. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes feed during the day and their preferred prey is humans rather than other animals. Since its maximum flight range is limited to 200-300 yards, keeping your distance from potential breeding zones can decrease exposure. Fortunately, a mosquito’s wings can’t handle long-distance air travel.

13.Repellent Isn’t Repellant

Using appropriate Environmental Protection Agency registered mosquito repellents is also highly recommended, but applications of repellent creams and lotions can wear off over time and lose effectiveness. Make sure to slather on the DEET or other proven insect repellent lotions. Follow the brand’s directions about the appropriate time to reapply.


14. Dress For Success

Experts in mosquito borne illnesses suggest wearing clothing treated with permethrin as effective protection from biting mosquitoes. Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency since 1979, permethrin has a successful track record of safely protecting adults and children from biting insects.
ExOfficio, a leading adventure travel apparel brand, uses a proprietary process called Insect Shield to incorporate permethrin into the fabric fibers of its garments. The Insect Shield technology protects against mosquitoes and other biting insects that may carry illnesses like Zika virus, malaria, dengue fever and West Nile Virus. Protect yourself from head to toe with a permethrin-treated wardrobe. Remember to cover up areas such as ankles and your neck, even though you might be wearing long pants and a shirt with a collar.
Don’t worry about the permethrin wearing out. Bound to the fabric fibers the Insect Shield technology lasts through 70 launderings—that’s the expected life of the garment.


15.A Good Night’s Sleep

If your hotel or lodging choice doesn’t have air conditioning or properly installed screened windows, sleep under a well-fitting mosquito bed net to protect yourself from bites.

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