Aircraft returning to the UK from countries affected by Zika virus transmission will be sprayed with insecticide as part of the UK government’s response to the disease.

The aircraft disinsection involves spraying insecticide inside aircraft in a similar manner to what happens on a majority of flights to the region to combat malaria. The UK government has asked airlines to do so as a precautionary measure.

UK government public health minister, Jane Ellison says: “Disinsection is a highly precautionary measure to reduce the risk to passenger during flights to the UK.”

The government will also spend a further £1 million funding research to tackle the virus. The Whole Health Organization Europe says the mosquitos that transmit Zika virus are extremely unlikely to survive and breed in the UK due to the climate.