The companies had marketed their products with claims that they prevented or protected against Zika virus, even though the products are known to be ineffective for that goal.
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The attorney general advised people to avoid ultrasonic and botanical mosquito repellents, as well as Vitamin B-based repellents, saying studies have found these to be ineffective.
However, the products contain no EPA-registered insect repellents with at least one of the five CDC-recommended active ingredients.
As the Olympic Games draw near and concerns for the Zika virus hit fever pitch, several companies have popped up preying on the uninformed by selling “Zika-Preventive” products.
According to New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett, the only products effective at protecting against mosquito bites are ones that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and an insect repellent called IR3535. And the Food and Drug Administration is also on the hunt for fraudulent claims by companies that say their products can prevent or treat the Zika infection.
Women in the state program will be eligible to receive two cans of repellent a month through October, when Texas’ peak mosquito season ends.
Anxious you might catch the Zika virus?
DALLAS (AP) _ Texas Medicaid will begin providing mosquito repellent to all expectant mothers and women between the ages of 10 and 45, as public health officials grapple with the likelihood that Texas will see at least some local transmissions of the Zika virus. There is a reported 14 individuals who have been infected with the Zika virus by local mosquitoes. This assessment is based on the state’s past experience with dengue, a similar virus spread by the same mosquitoes, and on the prevalent use of window screens, air conditioning, insect repellent and other mosquito control efforts in Texas. Travel-related cases of Zika have been identified in the city and elsewhere in the state.
Eighty percent of people infected with Zika don’t become ill. A Houston-area woman who had the Zika virus gave birth to a baby with microcephaly.
Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. However, the first homegrown cases of Zika have hit the U.S. In Florida, 15 people have contracted the virus in a small community just north of downtown Miami.
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People should also wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts and use mosquito repellent to protect others as well as themselves, in case they have the virus without knowing it, said Dr. Parham Jaberi, assistant state health officer with the Louisiana Office of Public Health.
