Zika virus infection prevention
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Yazan Daaboul, M.D., Nate Michalak, B.A., Serge Korjian M.D., Yamuna Kondapally, M.B.B.S[2]
Overview
There are no vaccines available to prevent Zika virus infection. Since the virus is usually transmitted through mosquitoes, effective measures to avoid mosquito bites include using insect repellent, installing mosquito bed nets and window/door screens, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and removing potential breeding sites from indoor/outdoor premises. Once infected, individuals may be re-infected in the future. Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex (i.e., vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, or fellatio) for the duration of the pregnancy. Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who are concerned about sexual transmission of Zika virus might consider abstaining from sexual activity or using condoms consistently and correctly during sex.
Prevention
- There are no vaccines against Zika virus.
- The only effective way to prevent Zika virus infection is to avoid mosquito bites.[1]
- Sexual transmission of ZIKV can be prevented by safe sex practices.
Enhanced Precautions
Mosquito bites
- Use insect repellent.
- Products containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol provide the longest lasting protection.
- If using sunscreen and insect repellent, apply sunscreen first.
- Treat clothes with permethrin.
- Wear long sleeves and long pants.
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.
- Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes from entering inside. If this is not possible, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
- Empty standing water containers (e.g. flowerpots or buckets) to reduce potential for mosquito breeding sites around home.
Safe Sex Practices
- Prevent sexual transmission of Zika by using condoms or practicing abstinence.
Travel Advisory
To learn more about Zika Travel information, see Travel Notice
Protection Against Mosquito Bites
What type of insect repellent should I use?
For Protection Against Ticks and Mosquitoes
- Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours. Products containing DEET include Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon
For Protection Against Mosquitoes Only
- Products with one of the following active ingredients can also help prevent mosquito bites. Higher percentages of active ingredient provide longer protection
- DEET
- Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin. Products containing picaridin include Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan [outside the US])
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (Products containing OLE include Repel and Off! Botanicals)
- IR3535 (Products containing IR3535 include Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Expedition and SkinSmart)
- 2-Undecanone
- Always follow product directions and reapply as directed
- If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second
- Instructions for children include:
- Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months old
- Follow package directions when applying repellent on children. Avoid applying repellent to their hands, eyes, mouth and cut or irritated skin. Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.
- Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
- Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
- Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
- Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself
- Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See the product information to find out how long the protection will last
- If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully
- Do not use permethrin directly on skin
What other steps should I take to prevent bug bites?
Prevent Mosquito Bites
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
- Stay and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms.
- Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.
What Should I Do If I Am Bitten By Bugs?
If You are Bitten By a Mosquito:
- Avoid scratching mosquito bites
- Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching
Steps to control mosquitoes
Steps to control mosquitoes outside home includes:
- Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
- Kill mosquitoes outside home.
Steps to control mosquitoes inside home includes:
- Keep mosquitoes out of home.
- Remove standing water where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
- Kill mosquitoes inside home.
| Product | Active ingredient | Brand name examples | How long it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor insect spray | Imidacloprid, β-Cyfluthrin | Home Pest Instect Killer, Raid Ortho, HotShot, EcoLogic | 7-10 days |
| Outdoor insect spray | Tetramethrin, Cypermethrin | HotShot, Raid, Real Kil, Spectracide | Up to 6 weeks |
- Insecticide brand names are provided for your information only. WikiDoc cannot recommend or endorse any name brand products.
Prevention of Sexual Transmission
Recommendations for Men and their Pregnant Partners
- Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex (i.e., vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, or fellatio) for the duration of the pregnancy.
- Pregnant women should discuss their male partner’s potential exposures to mosquitoes and history of Zika-like illness with their health care provider; providers can consult CDC’s guidelines for evaluation and testing of pregnant women.
Recommendations for Men and Their Nonpregnant Sex Partners
- Men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who are concerned about sexual transmission of Zika virus might consider abstaining from sexual activity or using condoms consistently and correctly during sex.
- Couples considering this personal decision should take several factors into account.
- Most infections are asymptomatic, and when illness does occur, it is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week; severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
- The risk for acquiring vector-borne Zika virus in areas of active transmission depends on the duration and extent of exposure to infected mosquitoes and the steps taken to prevent mosquito bites. After infection, Zika virus might persist in semen when it is no longer detectable in blood.
- To learn more about testing for the assessment of risk for sexual transmission, click here.
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References
- ↑ Prevention. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (June 1, 2015). http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html Accessed on December 14, 2015