jso444

Hi, I just read one of the posts and someone said that there is a Dengue fever outbreak across the Caribbean. I researched on my own and found it to be true...I have a trip planned to St. Martin in March and now I'm rethinking it due to the numbers of cases of Dengue fever that have been reported there! Does anyone here know anyone that has been infected with it on vacation recently? Any info would be appreciated...thanks...

Statia

I don't think it's been all that bad. I've seen some stories here and there in the local paper (I live 35 miles away). I wouldn't hesitate to go there, considering there have been other outbreaks in recent years, yet I've still gone there and not been affected.

Just my 2 cents.

Barbara1

The entire Caribbean has dengue and yes there has been and is dengue on sxm.
It is not considered an epidemic at this point and the government has been spraying to control the mosquitoes. the dengue mosquito bites only in the day.
I live in St. Maarten and am out all the time, and have not gotten it.. No one I know has it either.
Be sure, however, to make sure you have insect repellent at hand and use it accordingly. They say Deep Woods with 30% Deet or more is the most effective.
I have heard one ro two people on other forums report that they have gotten it but most people are fine.
It is much worse on some of the other islands.

lovesxm

Advice for health concerns in St.Maartin. I did have difficulty with an intestinal problem for quite a few months after my return. Have been going to SXM for ten years with no problem. this time I did have iced tea at least 2x a day, mixed tropical non-alchol drinks from rib shack on beach and many salads. My husband did not have iced tea or the salads and was not sick. My stomach has always been sensitive,however this necessitated visits to a gastroenterologist and antibiotic treatment. We were there(SXM) from 3/8-3/24/07. I am definetly going to return in 09!! we love St. Maartin ,Oyster Bay Dawn Beach

Knowing

An epidemic of Dengue fever started spreading through the Caribbean last fall. I did hear that it is one the worst outbreaks in decades.

You can use mosquito repellent and stay inside screened areas when possible, and that does help.

The CDC Web site shows the outbreak warnings, but this is not something new. Last year when we landed in Barbados, there was a big sign in customs stating that they were having malaria issues. Well, I never got it.

If you want to go to St. Martin, go and have fun.

Tuxedocat

Dengue is definitely everywhere in the Caribbean. It's carried by the "Asian Tiger" mosquitos which are seem comparatively larger and have a striped thorax, and from what I've read, it seems to develop more easily in dirty, standing water like in buckets or other containers left outside. In the U.S. Virgin Islands last year, the authorities asked everyone to eliminate as much such water-catching obstacles as possible. The best way to deal with it is probably making sure you have as much insect protection as possible or practical e.g. sprays, etc. You might get bitten a couple of times but not all of the mosquitos carry Dengue and it's just a matter of keeping the odds in your favor IMO.

carl170

I wasn't aware of this problem, but I did bring DEET repellent and put it on every night. There are mosquitoes there and they come out at dusk. I'm not sure if the tiger mosquitoes are active the same time. But I don't like to be bitten even if they aren't carrying anything.