Over the past year the hype of Zika began after many cases were reported in Brazil.

Recently it has entered the United States- mostly through travel, but some locally transmitted cases have recently been reported. All of the local cases have occurred in Florida. As of this past Tuesday there are now thirty five cases in Florida, as well as a couple of reports of Zika carrying mosquitoes located on Miami beach.

In order to fight back the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has promised Florida 5,000 Zika antibody tests and 10,000 Zika prevention kits along with $5 million in funding to help combat the local spreading of the disease. The hype of this disease has put everyone in a frenzy, but the most important tool a concerned person can have is ‘knowledge’.

It is mainly women of childbearing age who are at risk; the disease is linked to a condition called microcephaly– this means that babies can be born with considerably smaller heads and incomplete brain development.

Though there is not too much to worry about here in Texas,- the only cases here are travel associated (136)- there are still ways to be protected for people who want to take action. Buying bug spray with DEET in it acts as a stronger protectant than regular bug sprays. This ingredient is know to be the most effective for these types of mosquitoes.