Brazil has said some form of repellent should be used to protect against Zika but has not endorsed any product.
RIO DE JANEIRO:
Since it was detected in Brazil in April, the virus has spread to 26 countries in the Americas. The World Health Organization declared Zika an international health emergency this week, citing a "strongly suspected" relationship between the virus in pregnancy and microcephaly.
Brazil's government is investigating the potential link between Zika and more than 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika in 17 of those cases but have not confirmed the virus can cause the condition.
Brazil has said some form of repellant should be used to protect against Zika but has not endorsed any product.
Family-owned US firm SC Johnson said in a statement that it was increasing its production of its OFF! repellent in Brazil and was working with the government to ensure adequate supplies.
Reckitt Benckiser said it was raising output of Repelex to meet demand, particularly in northeastern Brazil and in the most populous state, Sao Paulo.
In the United States, industry insiders are preparing for a rise in sales once the mosquito season starts in the south in March or April, then rolls northwards as temperatures rise.
"An increase in demand for services this summer would not surprise us as news of Zika virus escalates," said Ron Harrison, entomologist at extermination company Orkin, owned by Rollins Inc.
Rollins shares have jumped 5 per cent during this year's stock market selloff because investors expect Zika fears to lead to increased revenues.
Eric Kenney, who leads the marketing for the Home & Garden business of Spectrum Brands, which includes the repellants Cutter and Repel, said the company had already seen a spike in demand in the United States, particularly in recent weeks.
"Given the rising concerns regarding the Zika virus, we do anticipate that demand will steadily increase in the coming weeks, and have prepared accordingly," he said.
Brazil's government is investigating the potential link between Zika and more than 4,000 suspected cases of microcephaly. Researchers have identified evidence of Zika in 17 of those cases but have not confirmed the virus can cause the condition.
Brazil has said some form of repellant should be used to protect against Zika but has not endorsed any product.
Family-owned US firm SC Johnson said in a statement that it was increasing its production of its OFF! repellent in Brazil and was working with the government to ensure adequate supplies.
Reckitt Benckiser said it was raising output of Repelex to meet demand, particularly in northeastern Brazil and in the most populous state, Sao Paulo.
In the United States, industry insiders are preparing for a rise in sales once the mosquito season starts in the south in March or April, then rolls northwards as temperatures rise.
"An increase in demand for services this summer would not surprise us as news of Zika virus escalates," said Ron Harrison, entomologist at extermination company Orkin, owned by Rollins Inc.
Rollins shares have jumped 5 per cent during this year's stock market selloff because investors expect Zika fears to lead to increased revenues.
Eric Kenney, who leads the marketing for the Home & Garden business of Spectrum Brands, which includes the repellants Cutter and Repel, said the company had already seen a spike in demand in the United States, particularly in recent weeks.
"Given the rising concerns regarding the Zika virus, we do anticipate that demand will steadily increase in the coming weeks, and have prepared accordingly," he said.
© Thomson Reuters 2016
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