Chikungunya Virus 2015: New Mosquito-borne Disease As Bad As Ebola, Says CDC: 5 Proven Ways to Protect Against Mosquitos

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A mosquito-borne virus called chikungunya is spreading across the U.S., which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is just as alarming as Ebola.

According to Business Insurance, cases of chikungunya started to increase last year, with a total number of 2,400. Chikungunya seems to have entered the United States by travelers who were infected abroad, most probably during vacation.

As of June 2, the CDC's official website reports that there have been a total of 157 cases of the virus reported to ArboNET from 30 different U.S. states.

There have been no reports of locally-transmitted cases in the U.S., only cases of the virus infecting others through travelers who were re-entering the country from infected parts of the world.

The CDC report adds that a total of 78 chikungunya cases were locally-transmitted in two U.S. territories, namely Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Business Insurance enumerates the following symptoms of chikungunya: fever, severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, join swelling and rash for about 1-2 weeks.

Below are 5 proven ways to protect yourself against mosquitoes and prevent catching the chikungunya virus or any other mosquito-born viruses.

1. Blow Them Away

According to Dr. Jonathan Day, a mosquito expert from the University of Florida, it is very difficult for mosquitoes to fly in winds blowing above 1 MPH, reports MSN.

2. Ready-made Herbal Insect Repellents

Good Housekeeping suggests trying Bite Blocker Natural Insect Repellent Spray to keep all insects away, not just mosquitoes. The site also recommends looking for the following words when buying insect repellents: herbal, all natural, DEET-free, non-chemical. non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

3. Stay Inside at Dusk and Dawn

According to Web MD, mosquitoes are most active during dusk and dawn, so it is best to stay inside at those times.

4. Cover Up

Web MD recommends covering up with long-sleeve shirts, long pants, socks, closed toes, and even a hat to really prevent mosquito bites. Wearing a bunch of clothes might be the last thing on anyone's mind during the summer, but it is one of the best ways to steer clear from mosquitoes without using any chemical-based repellents.

5. Wear Light-Colored Clothes

If covering up is unbearable, then try wearing light-colored clothes instead. MSN states that mosquitoes find their foot sources during the day by "looking for things that contrast in the horizon." According to Dr. Day, dark colors stand out for mosquitoes, while light colors attract them less.