Zika Virus Outbreak: Mosquito-Resistant Baby Clothing for Protection -- Is it Effective?

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With the Zika virus outbreak escalating, mothers are choosing mosquito-resistant baby clothing as an additional measure for protection. But how safe and effective are these clothes?

The Washington Post reported that business is booming for baby apparel brands in the wake of the Zika scare. Clothing companies like GBaby brand, which operates a factory in southern Brazil, have released a line of baby clothes that come with micro-capsules infused with citronella oil.

The clothing line was launched six months ago, even before moms and pregnant women learned of the dangers of Zika infection. The baby clothes were initially manufactured to help curb dengue infection, which remains a big problem in Brazil. However, the demand saw an increase since October as mothers grew more alarmed and scared about Zika.

Doctors in Brazil expressed their reluctance for these clothes as it might not be the best at repelling mosquitoes among children. Medical Daily reported that citronella oil, which are culled from citronella grass, is a common ingredient found in many standard insect repellent like DEET.

However, the news outlet also stated that the oil's effectiveness only lasts up to six hours. This is why reapplication of insect repellent lotions, creams or sprays should be done more than once a day.

GBaby's commercial director Fábio Pereira stated that the nanotechnology used to supply the micro-beads with citronella were tested for effectiveness. However, they refused to divulge the developer's name as well as the technical details of the test results.

Doctors assume that the amount of citronella should be reduced each time the baby clothes are washed, thus rendering it ineffective. They are also not assured by the tests done by clothes manufacturer's developers.

Meanwhile, Washington Post further reported that insect repellent producers are also enjoying brisk sales in Brazil. Though the product is a standard recommendation for tourists heading to the Amazon, one of its best-selling brand, Exposis, has had an increase in demand by 2,200 percent in the last four months.

The Guardian reported that Brazil is gearing up for two major events -- the Carnival that's taking place in February and the Summer Olympics in August -- hence a downpour of tourists is expected despite travel advisories in known Zika regions by the CDC and United States. Brazil authorities and event organizers are advising both locals and visitors to use repellent products and wear long sleeves to ward off mosquito bites at these events. They are also prepared to conduct daily inspection of the venues as a counter measure.