Speaker advises travelers to take preventive measures against mosquito-borne illnesses

Individuals traveling to certain regions, particularly South America, should take preventive measures against Zika virus infection and other mosquito-borne illnesses, according to research presented at a scientific forum at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting.

“Mosquitoes in the Aedes family can transmit not only the Zika virus, but also dengue and chikungunya,” Jose Dario Martinez, MD, an AAD International Fellow and chief of the internal medicine clinic at the university hospital of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, said in a press release from the AAD.

The Aedes mosquito is most prevalent in Mexico, South and Central America, and in some regions of Asia and Africa. It has also been found in U.S. states along the Mexican border, Florida and Puerto Rico; Martinez stated, however, that because other types of mosquitoes cannot carry Zika, dengue or chikungunya, the risk to U.S. residents is mainly limited to those traveling to affected areas.

All three diseases have similar symptoms, but differing complications, according to Martinez. However, most of those infected do not experience any symptoms and “therefore won't know they're carrying the virus,” he said.

According to his presentation, 60% to 80% of patients with dengue are asymptomatic, as are up to 30% of patients with chikungunya. Zika appears asymptomatic in more than 80% of cases, as it is often misdiagnosed.

A dengue fever vaccine has been approved in Mexico and Brazil, and a tetravelant dengue vaccine met its phase 3 primary endpoint with 56.5% (95% CI, 43.8-66.4) efficacy, according research published in Lancet that Martinez discussed. There are, however, no current FDA-approved vaccines for any of the three diseases.

Martinez advised that those traveling to affected regions should protect themselves by avoiding the outdoors at dawn and dusk, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and using insect repellant containing the active ingredient DEET. DEET repellants should not be used on infants, and children and adults should use a range of 15% to 30%, not exceeding 30%. He also advised that pregnant women should avoid these regions and any travelers returning should be tested for Zika prior to donating blood.

Disclosure: Martinez reports no relevant financial disclosures.