SAN ANTONIO – As concerns about the Zika virus continue to spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is essential that people avoid mosquito bites.
Consumer Reports tested several repellents for their effectiveness against the Aedis mosquito, the kind that is known to transmit Zika.
"Products containing the right percentages of DEET or picaridin were most effective at preventing bites from aggressive mosquitoes in our tests," said Sue Byrne, Consumer Reports health editor.
The best, according to their tests, were Sawyer Fisherman's Formula Picaridin and Natrapel 8-Hour, each of which contains 20 percent picaridin, and Off Deepwoods VIII, which contains 25 percent DEET. That's the amount of DEET Consumer Reports considers safe and effective.
Even women who are pregnant and nursing can safely use these repellents, according to Consumer Reports and the CDC, if they are applied properly.
That means applying them only to exposed skin or clothing, never under clothing. Also, insect repellents should not be applied over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
When applying to the face, they should first be sprayed on hands then rubbed carefully on the face to avoid the eyes and mouth. They should never be used on infants younger than 2 months.
While no Zika cases have been traced to mosquito bites received in the U.S., experts predict some spread of the disease as weather warms up, particularly in southern states where the Aedes mosquitoes are most prevalent.
Thirteen cases of Zika have been confirmed in Texas. Three cases have been confirmed in Bexar County, according to Metro Health, and three more people are waiting for test results.
All of the Bexar County cases were attributed to traveling out of the country.
While health officials say there is no cause for panic, they encourage bite prevention the same as for avoiding West Nile virus.