210. Zika

First pregnant patient today with questions about the Zika virus (what took so long?). Seems that she's going to DisneyWorld in Orlando. 

There have been 87 reported cases of Zika infection in Florida, most from overseas travelers, but with one sexually-transmitted infection. So Anna should be safe, though at some point local mosquito populations may become part of the problem when they bite one of these travelers and then transmit the virus to the local population

States where Aedes aegypti (the mosquito species most likely to transmit Zika) have been found.
With climate change, the blue wave will progress northward

We talked about insect repellents generally and specifically those containing DEET, which are the most effect repellents.  An urban myth makes DEET sounds like a poison, but aside from a predictable risk of local irritation (maybe 6% of users), which can happen with skin care products, from Ivory soap to any scented product, DEET appears safe.