With spring break approaching, many New Englanders are packing their bags with sunscreen and bathing suits to escape the cold and head south. While some of the media buzz around the Zika virus has started to subside, it is important to remember that the disease is still a potential threat to those traveling to southern areas of the United States such as Florida and Texas, as well as the Caribbean.

Natural and Applied Sciences Professor Tony Kiszewski, a public health entomologist specializing in sustainable interventions against vector-borne diseases, is offering preventative measures for those headed to spring break destinations. In the following Q&A, Kiszewski explains where the Zika virus stands today and offers important steps for travelers to keep themselves safe.

Q: What is the status of the Zika virus? Is it something travelers should still be worried about?

Kiszewski: We’re in a bit of a lull for Zika transmission at the moment, but the virus remains a risk throughout all of the Caribbean and in 18 South American countries. In the U.S., there was recently a case in Texas of a pregnant woman who did not travel outside of the states. Mexico also continues to experience cases of the disease. This map shows where Zika has been transmitted in the past three months.

Q: What are the best ways to avoid Zika when traveling to spring break destinations?

Kiszewski: Most mosquitos that carry Zika are day-biters and are especially active in shady or overcast conditions. This applies for both rural and urban destinations. It is important to wear long pants, long sleeves and socks as often as practicable, or apply repellents to all exposed skin. Your repellent should contain one of the following active ingredients, which have all been proven effective against the mosquitos carrying the Zika virus: DEET, PMD or picaridin. There are active wear clothing lines available using fibers made with (relatively nontoxic to humans) pyrethroid insecticides that not only repel mosquitoes, but also kill mosquitoes on contact without harming their wearers.

Q: Is a vaccine for the virus still in the development process?

Kiszewski: There seem to be several effective vaccines under development that should be out in a few years if it they pass through trials. All of them are in the Phase I clinical efficacy stage. Ironically, the lull in transmission is making it difficult to get these vaccines tested because there is not enough transmission happening anywhere to see whether they’ll work.

Q: Last summer, there was buzz about whether Zika could reach New England. Is that still a possibility?

Kiszewski: It is not out of the question for Zika to be transmitted in the Boston area seasonally, particularly if travelers to Brazil or other countries return with infections during the summer. However, there is no risk in winter. The risk here would begin in June and last through October. Any insect repellent would offer protection, but particularly products containing DEET, picaridin or PMD. Zika vectors bite only during the daylight hours. Night-time biting mosquitoes do not seem to be a factor.

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