TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – On the front lines in the fight against the Zika virus, crews are double-dosing chemicals to kill larva and adult mosquitoes.
People are being urged to use bug sprays with the ingredient DEET as another layer of protection.
All the chemical exposure is worrisome to a lot of people.
“Right now it’s the better of two evils – I’ve been watching the news stories about Zika and my sister is in her first trimester and I do worry about the chemicals too – but I think the bigger concern is keeping her and her baby safe,” a new mom Rochelle Colburn said.
Tampa pediatrician Dr. David Berger agrees that there is still so much we don’t know about the Zika virus.MORE ZIKA COVERAGE:
- Millions of bees killed in South Carolina while spraying to combat Zika
- Mosquitoes in Miami-Dade test positive for Zika
- Sarasota woman receives runaround after contracting Zika
- Florida theme parks offer free mosquito repellent in fight against Zika
“It’s a devastating disease when a baby turns out microcephalic with most likely lifelong developmental delays,” Dr. Berger said.
Dr. Berger says many of his patients are concerned about toxic accumulation and the over-exposure to chemicals like DEET used to fight mosquitoes.
He says he recommends products like Sawyer Fisherman’s Formula containing Picaridin.
“They do have to be applied more often but even consumer reports found it to be as effective,” Dr. Berger said.
Expert says the ingredient is especially helpful for pregnant women and children as young as 6 months old.