SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Mormon church will allow women serving as missionaries to wear dress pants during rainy seasons in parts of the world where mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and dengue are prevalent.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the new rules Friday. Women will still we required to skirts and dresses during church services and at temples. About 29 percent of young missionaries are women.

All missionaries are being encouraged to wear clothing that covers their arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites. The Zika virus is carried by mosquitoes and has been linked to microcephaly, a condition in which babies are born with undersized brains and skulls.

The announcement by the Mormon church is the second revision to missionary clothing rules announced this week. Officials also said sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats are now allowed for proselytizing men and women to protect them from the sun. There are about 74,000 missionaries currently serving worldwide.

More From 95.7 KEZJ