A Five Step Guide to Keeping Yourself Safe

As the Zika virus spreads across Latin America and the Caribbean, it is more important than ever to know how to protect yourself.

About one in five people infected with Zika virus will develop symptoms, the most common ones being fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis or red eyes, muscle pain and mild headaches. However, Zika is receiving worldwide attention due to the alarming connection between the virus and microcephaly, a potentially fatal condition in infants.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Zika Virus

Pyramid Travel Products specialises in advanced travel protection for adventurers, families and outdoor enthusiasts. If you live in or are thinking about travelling to an infected area, we advise taking the following steps:

1. Use DEET based repellents:
DEET has been recognised as an effective repellent against Zika. Our Trek Ultra repellent is made with micro-encapsulated DEET, protecting for up 12 hours from one application!

2. Take a permethrin treated mosquito net:
Essential gear for sleeping at night bite free. Pop-upmosquito nets are available that fit easily over a bed, as well as hanging nets.

3. Cover up with loose, long sleeved clothing in a light coloured fabric: Mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing.

4. Avoid stagnant or standing water where mosquitoes breed

5. Avoid travelling to Zika affected areas when pregnant:The WHO recommends that pregnant women do not travel to Zika affected areas. If travel is unavoidable to these areas, a repellent of up to 50% DEET should be used by pregnant women, such as Trek 50.