Permethrin-treated clothing, such as Hook & Tackle's® Bug/X shirt and Head Honchos Face & Neck Gaiters are a key method of protection for those traveling to at-risk Zika virus areas.

Mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, Dengue fever and West Nile virus are still a challenge throughout the globe. However, a newer mosquito-borne illness called Zika Virus is causing serious concerns in the U.S., Brazil as well as the Caribbean (Barbados; Curaçao; Dominican Republic; Guadeloupe; Haiti; Jamaica; Martinique; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory; Saint Martin; U.S. Virgin Islands) Central America ( Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama), Mexico, Pacific Islands, and South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela) where it has been linked to a rise in a phenomenon called microcephaly.

As of 6/29/16 according to the the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 934 travel-associated cases have been reported in the continental United States and 2,020 locally acquired and 6 travel-associated cases have been reported in the U.S. Territories. 

Because there is no vaccine for Zika, the CDC recommends protection from mosquito bites including the use of permethrin treated clothing, such as Hook & Tackle's® Insect-Repellent Apparel.

Prevention tactics recommended by the CDC:

•     #1 Use insect repellents.
•     If you use both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply the sunscreen first and then the repellent.
•     Do not spray insect repellent on the skin under clothing.
•     Treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing like Hook & Tackle's® Bug/X shirt and Head Honchos Face & Neck Gaiters.
•     Always follow the label instructions when using insect repellent or sunscreen.
•     Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
•     Use air conditioning or window/door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. If you are not able to protect
  yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
•     Help reduce the number of mosquitoes inside and outside your home or hotel room by emptying standing
  water from containers such as flowerpots or buckets.
•     Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime.

Zika virus is transmitted to people from the bite of an Aedes aegypti, or Aedes albopictus mosquito. The Zika virus, unlike other mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue or malaria, is newer and less studied. The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Outbreaks of Zika have occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.

Travel Health Warnings:
The CDC has issued travel health warnings for pregnant women considering travel to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, The Pacific Islands, and South America.

About Insect Shield® Technology:
Insect Shield Repellent Apparel and Gear are revolutionary products designed to provide long-lasting, effective and convenient personal insect protection. The durable protection provided by Insect Shield is the result of years of research and testing. In July 2003, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel was registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Insect Shield Technology is utilized by leading lifestyle brands, work wear distributors and International relief organizations across the globe to provide effective protection against insects and the diseases they can carry. Insect Shield® is an approved vendor of the US Army and US Marine Corps.