The Zika virus is making its way around the world with the Aedes aegypti mosquito. People bitten by an infected insect can get rashes and red eyes; some babies are born with very small heads. Scientists are trying to figure out how to conquer Zika. But with every possible preventive measure, there’s a potential tradeoff. What do you think of the pros and cons of these approaches?

1. Don’t get bitten! The simplest way not to get Zika is to stay nibble free. Yet no repellent is 100 percent effective. And what happens if the repellent wears off before you have a chance to reapply it?

2. Attack! Some communities have started spraying insecticides over whole neighborhoods. This kills both grown mosquitoes and their larvae. Are these chemicals safe for people and other animals? What if mosquitoes become resistant to insecticides?

3. Vaccinate! Researchers have already developed a promising vaccine and are testing it in humans. How quickly can they get it to people who need it?

4. Create an anti-superinsect! British researchers have genetically engineered mosquitoes to breed offspring that quickly die. They want to try releasing them in Florida. But some residents are concerned: What effect might these bugs have on the ecosystem?  

Thanks to Pitt’s Ernesto Marques Jr., a scientist with an infectious drive to find answers to this threat, who helped us understand how Zika works.