Delaware says Medicaid now covers mosquito repellent

Delaware officials say Medicaid recipients can now get benefit coverage for over-the-counter mosquito repellents.

Officials say the move is intended to help protect against the Zika virus.

Over-the-counter insect repellents generally are not covered by Medicaid. But the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently allowed states to cover mosquito repellents for Medicaid recipients when prescribed by an authorized health professional.

The change comes as the first case of local Zika transmission from mosquito bites in the continental United States was reported.

Zika is spread primarily through mosquito bite, but it also can be sexually transmitted or passed from mother to fetus during pregnancy. Since there is no vaccine available, the major means of prevention currently available are mosquito control efforts and protection against mosquito bites.