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.

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.

Prevention

• There are no vaccines against Zika virus.
• The only effective way to prevent Zika virus infection is to avoid mosquito bites.

Enhanced Precautions

• 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.

Travel Advisory

Following the Zika virus outbreak in late 2015, the CDC released travel advisories (Alert - Level 2, Practice enhanced precautions to protect from mosquito bites) for several countries. These are summarized below:

• Cape Verde
• Caribbean (Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Saint Martin)
• Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama)
• Mexico
• Puerto Rico
• Samoa
• South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela)

Interim Recommendations in Pregnancy

• Women who are pregnant (in any trimester):
  • Consider postponing travel to any area where Zika virus transmission is ongoing.
  • If you must travel to one of these areas, talk to your doctor first and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.
• Women who are trying to become pregnant:
  • Before you travel, talk to your doctor about your plans to become pregnant and the risk of Zika virus infection.
  • Strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during your trip.