While there remains plenty of cheap traveloptions such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals and cheap vacation packages tovisit warm weather destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and SouthAmerican, concern about the mosquito-borne Zika Virus is causing some would bevisitors to reconsider their travel plans.
This virus poses the largest risk to pregnant women,because the virus is believed to cause birth defects. However even for women who are not pregnantor trying to get pregnant, it can still cause mild illness with fever, rash,joint pain, and conjunctivitis.
If you will be traveling to a destination dealing with theZika Virus, you should take the following steps to protect yourself from thevirus, according to Caroline Morse:
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Purchase insectrepellent clothing that is also travel friendly. Ex-Officios Bugsaway line haspants, shorts, dresses and sweatshirts for men and women that are treated withinsect shield technology to repel mosquitoes and other bugs. Its travel friendly fabrics are lightweight,wrinkle-resistant, and quick drying.
TheWhite Sierras Bug Free clothing line is also worth checking out and comes withprotection from insects and the sun (because of a UPF fabric shield) for 70washes.
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If you dont want topurchase insect repellent clothing, consider treating clothes that you alreadyown with permethrin spray from Sawyer Products, a bug-repellent designed to beused on clothing and shoes that lasts through multiple washings. It is as effective as 100 percent DEET and isodorless after drying and will not stain or damage your clothing.
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Pack long sleevedshirts and pants. The more covered yourskin is, the harder it is for mosquitos to get to you. Given that your destination will probably bewarm, look into purchasing clothes that have moisture-wicking properties thatcan help you stay cooler than even being in short sleeves.
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Travel mosquito bednetting is being recommended by the CDC if you are overseas or outside and notable to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Staying in a hotel does not ensure that mosquitos cannot get to you. Emergency Zone offers travel mosquito bednetting that is ideal for travel and only needs a single rope to hang from andfolds into a small and lightweight nylon bag.
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Pack EPA-registeredinsect repellent, since not all bug sprays are created equally. Repel 100 is a spray with super concentratedDEET (98.11) for heavy-duty bug conditions. The 1 oz. size is great for travel and protects for up to 10 hours.
Ifyou want a more natural solution, consider products containing oil of lemoneucalyptus which is one of the only non-chemical repellents recommended by theCDC. One such product is OFF Botanicalslotion.
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Mosquito head netsmight sound extreme but will come in handy if your destination is swarming withbugs. The Sea to Summit mosquito headnet is small and lightweight; made from a fine black mesh that is easy to seethrough and comes with a small stuff sack for easy packing.
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Insect repellent bandsand wipes are a great alternative to bug sprays that are often too large tosatisfy airport security measures. The15 pack of Cutter All Family Mosquito Repellent is very affordable and containsDEET which will protect you inexpensively. Alternatively consider purchasing a waterproof, non-toxic, MosquitoRepellent bracelet from MosQuit that lasts up to 200 hours.
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