Zika Threat

[DoubleAA]

Was just in Cozumel a couple weeks ago. Went over to playa too. No bug spray and not a single mosquito bite.

I got home and have had multiples in my backyard since. Chose to eat outside at lunch today and got bit. Don't put off a trip. There will always be some overblown media scare tactic.

 

[tursiops]

A young couple, current childless but thinking about it, just cancelled from one of my Bonaire trips in August, did not want to take the chance, however small.

 

[mbchiro]

If your wife is on good birth control measures, what is the concern about Zika that you guys have?

I'd be concerned about dengue & chikungunya, if anything. Malaria if an area where it's apt to be a threat. I haven't been following the Zika scare that much, but what I've read sounds like the main concern is impact on developing children in the womb.

Richard.

she is not on BC

 

[mbchiro]

A young couple, current childless but thinking about it, just cancelled from one of my Bonaire trips in August, did not want to take the chance, however small.

my wife and are are in the same boat we are in our low to mid 40's and children are a possibility in future.

 

[mbchiro]

May I ask --> postpone until when?
Zika won't be going away any time in the near future.

good question, dont know the answer

 

[mbchiro]

@mbchiro I agree with the others..I think you should go. I'm extremely allergic to mosquitoes--I get huge welts, sometimes the size of pancakes and usually 8-12 at a time without scratching so I am your unofficial expert here on how not to get bitten. Unfortunately for me, the mozzies are where the warmer waters are! Before Zika even came to light, my arsenal that has been tried and true includes:

DEET minimum of 15% (30% max, more is not necessary with minimal, if any, additional effect) or Picaridin 20%. My favorite picaridin is by Natrapel. When I have to use DEET, I like Off!. I've experimented with the latter and I get as good of protection from Picaridin 20% without the weird smell/texture and now I don't have to be so careful around polyesters and other plastics as with DEET.

Next up is Insect Shield treated clothing. The active ingredient is permethrin and is colorless, odorless, etc. If it's factory treated, it lasts up to 70 washings which is quite a lot. You can get permethrin yourself and treat your existing clothing but those only usually last a few weeks. My favorite products are from ExOfficio's BugsAway line and I swear by it whenever I travel. I know Craghoppers also makes some as well. Not only does it repel mosquitoes, but other biting flies, gnats, etc. The garments I purchased are really light and airy and can be layered so I've worn them and been spared from sandflies and mosquitoes in places such as New Zealand and humid Costa Rican/Mexican jungles, respectively. I've never looked back and I only now wonder why I even took so long to purchase them. Worth every dime I've spent to not be miserable and not have to worry about insect-borne illnesses as much.

Tell your wife I love the ExOfficio BugsAway Lumen Hoody and the Damselfly Pant. I usually layer the Lumen Hoody over a tank or something really minimal if it's really humid/warm out. I had the mozzies biting me through my regular clothing in Mexico and leaving my sprayed skin alone and they didn't touch me again after I wore this stuff the rest of the trip.

Let me know if you have any Q's. Best thing ever.

awesome reply thanks. I will look into those items. I love Ex-Officio brand. Clothes are great. I like also what another poster mentioned about the bug netting. The biggest fear here is if my wife or I contracted it and say in several months got pregnant the obvious fear of microencephaly and/or other defects is the elephant in the room. We try and not live our lives in fear, but its a certain concern. At least Bonaire is an arid island, that cuts down a bit on the population.

 

[DeputyDan]

Considering your situation, it is a tougher call than most of us have to make.
If I really were considering children in the near future I would tend to error on the side of caution and not go.
Mostly because there is a lot that we still don't know.

 

[drrich2]

Bonaire is not short on mosquitos. Eating out evenings, you're often outdoors and they come after your legs. I'd plan on birth control for the duration of the trip.

 

[JohnN]

Bonaire is not short on mosquitos. Eating out evenings, you're often outdoors and they come after your legs. I'd plan on birth control for the duration of the trip.

Duration of the trip + 8 weeks
CDC Press Releases

 

[drrich2]

Thanks for the link; good to know.