Thermacell Repellent Fights Aedes Mosquitoes that Carry Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya

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Feb 02, 2016, 02:04 ET

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BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermacell repellent products create a 15ft x 15ft zone of protection that repels mosquitoes, including Aedes mosquitoes, the type of mosquito that spreads the Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. With tens of millions of documented annual cases of these diseases worldwide*, using a repellent has become a life-saving matter. There have been several dengue outbreaks in Puerto Rico in recent months and pockets of chikungunya in the U.S. Virgin Islands the last couple of years. Zika has now been found in the U.S.; Puerto Rico and states with subtropical zones such as Texas and Florida are at a heightened risk. Zika is also spreading internationally at such a fast rate that yesterday the World Health Organization declared Zika a global health emergency.

The United States does not have highly effective drugs for any of these viruses at this time, so it is imperative to take defensive steps. With the use of Thermacell repellent products, effective protection is possible in minutes and lasts for hours. Thermacell products use a repellent which is a copy of the natural insecticide produced by chrysanthemums. It repels biting insect species such as Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are active 24 hours a day and may carry Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses.

"With mosquito-borne diseases on the rise, it is important to use an effective repellent. As proven in field studies conducted by leading entomologists, Thermacell is up to 96% effective and is more than 8 times more effective than citronella**," said Chief Entomologist from Scientific Coordination Inc., Dr. Timothy Dickens. "Additionally, Thermacell is an area repellent that does not have to be applied to your skin."

Experts attribute the rise in mosquito-borne illnesses to milder winters, increased human residency in mosquito-infested regions, and a lack of safety measures preventing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in less-developed communities. The Center for Disease Control recommends taking preventative measures to protect against viruses.

About Thermacell Repellents, Inc.

Thermacell Repellents, Inc., headquartered in Bedford, MA, designs, manufactures, and markets area mosquito repellent products that create a 15ft x 15ft zone of protection in minutes from mosquitoes, black flies, and other flying insects. Thermacell products use a copy of the natural insecticide produced by chrysanthemums and are lightweight, silent, and virtually odor free. Thermacell can be found at most outdoor, sporting goods, home improvement, and mass merchant retailers in the U.S. and are also available internationally in more than 25 countries. For more information on Thermacell and its complete line of repellent products, consumer reviews, or store locations visit www.Thermacell.com or call 1-866-753-3837.

*Chukungunya: "Geographic Distribution." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 23 Oct. 2015. Web. 28 Jan. 2016; http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/geo/
Dengue: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 09 June 2014. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.; http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/epidemiology/index.html
Zika: Johnson, Reed, and Rogerio Jelmayer. "Brazil Grapples With Spread of Zika Virus and Dengue Fever." WSJ. N.p., 5 Jan. 2016. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
** Revay, Edita E., Daniel L. Kline, Rui-De Xue, Whitney A. Qualls, Ulrich R. Bernier, Vasiliy D. Kravchenko, Nina Ghattas, Irina Pstygo, and Günter C. Müller. "Reduction of Mosquito Biting-pressure: Spatial Repellents or Mosquito Traps? A Field Comparison of Seven Commercially Available Products in Israel." Acta Tropica 127.1 (2013): 63-68. Web. (http://www.afpmb.org/sites/default/files/pubs/dwfp/publications/FY13/Revay,Kline,Xue,Qualls,Bernier,Kravchenko,Ghattas,Pstygo%26Muller,2013.pdf)