INSECT REPELLANTS AND ZIKA

According to a recent study, insect repellants whose active ingredient is picardin are less effective against Zika than those that rely on DEET, and mosquitoes infected with the Zika virus are less susceptible to DEET than those which are not infected.

Areas with Zika-infected mosquitoes include India, SE Asia, Central and South America, a large swathe of central Africa and specific areas in Texas and Florida. For current information, Google “CDC World Map Zika.”

Here’s the bottom line: If headed to Zika areas, choose 30% DEET insect repellants over lower percentages of DEET or those whose active ingredient is picardin.

The information posted on this blog and website are for general information only and should never be relied on as specific medical advice for an individual reader.  No financial relationship exists between us and any recommended products or persons mentioned. All material contained here is the property of the Sheldon Sowell Center for Health, PC, and cannot be copied, reprinted, or linked to without our express permission.