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.

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