Pick The Right Mosquito Repellent

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Tests have found the Zika virus in mosquitoes from Miami, the first detected on continental United States, confirming local transmission of the disease, the Florida authorities said.

Three mosquitoes were taken from the tourist hotspot Miami Beach, where cases of locally transmitted Zika were previously reported.

"This is disappointing but not surprising," Florida agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam said in a statement Thursday.

"Florida is among the best (states) in the nation when it comes to mosquito surveillance and control, and this detection enables us to continue to effectively target our resources," he added.

Health officials reported the first cases of locally transmitted Zika in Miami Beach in mid-August.

The virus, which causes birth defects, was detected in a neighborhood north of downtown called Wynwood earlier in July. It has also been found in the Florida counties of Palm Beach, north of Miami, and Pinellas, near Tampa.

Zika causes only mild symptoms for most people. But in pregnant women, it can cause microcephaly, a deformation in which babies are born with abnormally small brains and heads.

The disease has also been linked to a potentially fatal disorder known as Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can lead to nervous system problems such as weakness and paralysis.

Zika is spread by mosquitoes and sexual contact.

The authorities have issued an advisory for pregnant women warning of travel to designated active transmission zones in Florida.

The state has so far identified 49 cases of people who contracted the virus locally, the Florida health department says. It reported another 656 cases brought in by people infected while traveling abroad, mainly areas of Latin America where the virus is spreading.

Those numbers include a total of 80 pregnant women affected so far in Florida.



Pick the right mosquito repellent

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends products with active ingredients like DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, piracaridin, or IR 3535

Apply the repellent correctly

Remember to apply sunscreen first before the bug repellent so the cream won’t mask its effectivity.

Always remember to spray your feet and ankles too. Mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus are usually attracted to feet.


Repel with your clothes

Long pants, long sleeves are the go-to clothes. Permethrin products are effective and safe for pregnant women and children.” Baggy clothes offer better protection than tight ones. Also protect the head with hat and sunglasses.


Prep your home

When temperatures reach 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, mosquitoes remain active even during the day and fly into the house for shade. Don’t leave water sources open.

Just one tablespoon of water serve as breeding ground for mosquitos which can produce up to 300 larvae.


Vanilla

Add vanilla extract to either of the above recipes, or just rub on the skin. You can also mix vanilla with witch hazel and water for a spray version.


Lavender Flowers

Plant insect repelling herbs in your yard. I grow lavender, thyme, mint and citronella near our patio and we use these fresh plants as bug repellent in a pinch. Rub lavender flowers or lavender oil on your skin, especially on hot parts of body (neck, underarms, behind ears, etc.) to repel insects.


Apple vinegar

Similarly, orange peel and vanilla, apple vinegar has a flavor that is not preferred by mosquitoes. You can drip down onto a damp cloth and place it in the inner corners suspected mosquito breeding.


Lemongrass

Lemongrass is not only used as a spice in cooking, but grass also can repel or citronella to repel mosquitoes because contain substances sironelal. Place the lemon grass in the breeding of mosquitoes or mix it with water to be liquid floor cleaner.


Exercise indoors

The body naturally emits carbon dioxide and heat, and a lot more especially when you sweat during workouts. This attracts mosquitoes.


Avoid sex with strangers

Zika can be passed through sex from a person with Zika to his or her partners. Sex includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex and the sharing of sex toys. Zika can be passed through sex, even if the person does not have symptoms at the time. It can be passed from a person with Zika before their symptoms start, while they have symptoms, and after their symptoms end. Though not well documented, the virus may also be passed by a person who carries the virus but never develops symptoms. How to protect yourself during sex

Travel smart

Avoiding affected areas is the best way to avoid Zika virus.

Regularly check the list of countries and territories with active Zika virus transmission. If you must travel into one of the affected countries, stay in air-conditioned areas, sleep under bed nets, and use mosquito repellent vigilantly.