How to Protect Yourself from the Zika Virus

Zika is a mosquito-borne viral infection that often slips by unnoticed. In fact, many people who contract it never develop obvious signs at all. When symptoms do appear, they typically present as mild fever, muscle aches, joint pain, and an itchy rash. While outbreaks have made headlines worldwide, safeguarding yourself is entirely manageable once you know how to reduce exposure to mosquitoes and mitigate environmental risks.

Here is your comprehensive, practical guide to keeping yourself and your household safe.

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Method 1: Shield Yourself from Mosquito Bites

Since the primary transmission route for Zika is the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito, your first line of defense is personal protection.

• Cover up with protective clothing: Whenever you spend time outdoors, minimize exposed skin. Choose lightweight, long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes. In heavily infested areas or dense vegetation, consider wearing a mesh head net for added coverage.
• Apply EPA-registered insect repellent: Use an officially certified insect repellent containing active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE). Always review manufacturer instructions for proper reapplication intervals. If you are heading out into the sun, put on sunscreen first, let it absorb, and then apply repellent over your clothing and exposed skin—never spray repellent underneath your clothes.
• Wear gloves when handling bodily fluids: If you are caring for someone diagnosed with Zika, always wear disposable gloves. The virus remains active in the bloodstream for about a week. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water immediately after disposing of gloves or handling contaminated materials.
• Practice safe sex: Zika can spread through sexual contact, even when the infected person shows zero symptoms. Consistently use condoms or dental dams if your partner has recently traveled to an active Zika zone or tested positive. Avoid making assumptions based solely on how healthy someone looks or feels.
• Take extra precautions if you are pregnant: Pregnant women must exercise extreme vigilance. The virus can pass from mother to fetus and has been linked to severe congenital conditions, most notably microcephaly—a condition where a baby is born with an abnormally small head and brain damage. If you are expecting or trying to conceive, prioritize bite prevention and avoid non-essential travel to affected areas.

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Method 2: Eliminate Environmental Breeding Grounds

Controlling your surroundings stops mosquitoes before they have a chance to multiply.

• Stay in climate-controlled or screened spaces: Keep mosquitoes outside where they belong. Keep windows and doors closed in favor of air conditioning whenever possible. If you prefer fresh air or do not have central AC, inspect all window and door screens closely to confirm there are no tears, gaps, or holes.
• Sleep under a protective bed net: If you are staying in rustic accommodations or an area without sealed windows, sleep under a bed net. Ensure the net is intact, tucked firmly beneath the mattress, and hangs loosely so it does not touch your skin. For maximum defense, choose a net treated with permethrin.
• Divert and clear all standing water: Mosquitoes require stagnant water to lay eggs and reproduce. Regularly walk around your property to empty, scrub, turn over, or discard containers that hold water. Common culprits include buckets, old tires, bird baths, pet bowls, rain barrels, and flowerpot saucers. For unavoidable puddles or drainage basins, fill them with gravel or sand to eliminate potential breeding sites.
• Reconsider non-essential travel to high-risk areas: If possible, postpone trips to regions reporting active outbreaks. High-risk zones historically include portions of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and select tropical destinations. If travel is unavoidable, prepare an extensive bite-prevention kit well before your departure.