Build a Zika Prevention Kit

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Be prepared

If you live in a state or area with the mosquito that spreads the Zika virus and are concerned about Zika, build your own Zika Prevention Kit with the items below. Reducing the risk for Zika is particularly important for pregnant women.

Your kit should include:

a bed net used to cover your sleeping area

Bed net

  • Keep mosquitoes out of your room, day and night. If your room is not well screened, use a bed net when sleeping or resting.
  • Mosquitoes can live indoors and will bite at any time, day or night.
a package of standing water treatment tabs

Standing water treatment tabs

  • Use water treatment tabs to kill larvae in standing water around your house. Do not put them in water you drink.
  • Always follow directions on the package.
  • When used as directed, these tabs will not harm you or your pets (dogs and cats).
a bottle of insect repellent

Insect repellent

  • Insect repellent will help keep mosquitoes from biting you.
  • Always follow directions on the package.
  • Use only an EPA-registered insect repellentExternal.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
  • When used as directed, these insect repellents are proven safe and effective even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • Learn how to prevent mosquito bites.
a spray can of permethrin spray

Permethrin spray

  • Spray your clothing and gear with permethrin to help protect yourself from mosquito bites.
  • Always follow the directions on the bottle. Reapply as directed.
  • Do not spray permethrin on your skin.

Condoms

a box of condoms
  • During sex, it is possible to get Zika virus from a person who has Zika.
  • If you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) with a partner who may have been exposed to Zika, you should use condoms the right way every time.
  • Follow directions on the box.
  • Condoms can also help prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Learn how to protect during sex and use condoms correctly. See Condom Dos and Don’ts.

Build Your Own Zika Prevention Kit
Pregnant and worried about Zika? fact sheet thumbnail

See the flyers below for information to help pregnant women and travelers build their own Zika Prevention Kits.

Build Your Own Zika Prevention Kit

Zika Prevention Kit for Travelers

Distribute Zika Prevention Kits to Others

Include the materials below in Zika Prevention Kits being distributed to pregnant women and communities.

Zika Prevention Kit Material List

Page last reviewed: March 14, 2019
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (DVBD)