Dengue Fever Alert in the Caribbean!

[Spratman]

I just got the alert today through my company email. Dengue Fever is becoming quite prevalent in the Caribbean, among other places.

My son and I have both have the same problems/symptoms. Pounding headaches, nausea, pain in the stomach area, joints very painful, etc. We came back from Cancun in Sept 1 and the symptoms started about a week ago.

I have just been trying to fight it off with the recommended treatment by the CDC. Also, recommends to consult a physician, so we'd better make an appointment. 1% of people contract Dengue Hemorraghic Fever! :11: Just what my luck would have....Ebola!

See link below: I'll cross-post in the Caribbean section of the board.

Outbreak Notice: Dengue, Tropical and Subtropical Regions | CDC Travelers' Health

[Hemlon]

Thanks for the update!

[DandyDon]

Did you visit the ruins, cenotes, anywhere away from the coast?

Dengue has been a risk there forever, I guess. I take malaria prophylactics on the Mexican mainland and in Central America, but also take biodegradable insect repellent for mornings before diving and DEET repellent for after diving before sunset. Prevention or attempt it anyway.

Hope you'll find a tropical disease specialist. DAN may be able to assist locating one close.

[Spratman]

Actually, if I were the only one, I was out in the jungle diving cenotes, Don. However, my son has it as well, and he was with me just boat diving. My wife, daughter and mom do not have any symptoms.

If it has always been hanging around, then I probably should have listed it as Dengue Fever outbreak.

Thanks for the advice!

[DandyDon]

Yeah, diving the cenotes is challenging here, as they don't want DEET in the aquifer, so they request biodegradable insect repellent. I don't know that Cancun has any risk, altho I guess some disease carrying skeeters could ride in on the wind. Hope your son just has sympathy symptoms and/or a tropical disease specialist finds a lessor problem for both of y'all. Good luck.

[Hank49]

You don't have to go back in the jungle to find mosquitos here. They're thick everywhere during the wet season....even San Pedro. Here and in the Philippines the rainy season seems to be Dengue season due to the amount of mosquitos I guess.

[Mike Boswell]

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but my wife and I are planning a trip to Utila in March and I wondered if anyone can provide an update on Dengue, Malaria, etc.

[DandyDon]

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but my wife and I are planning a trip to Utila in March and I wondered if anyone can provide an update on Dengue, Malaria, etc.

You'd be better off to ask in the Bay Islands forum, but I follow CDC suggestions when I go there: malaria prophylactic meds, spray early and often, etc. I was in Roatan in Feb couple of years ago and that resort had good mosquito control, but the weather was balmy. Sand bugs can be irritating on Utila...!

[coldwaterlloyd]

Thanks for posting the link . Dengue seems to get worse each year . I have not travelled since contracting Dengue in 09 . Was thinking of heading out this winter . Scary

[Bratface]

It's a fact of life for us in the caribbean. Use the bug spray, empty any standing water. See the dr if you have symptoms.