zika to cancel or not to cancel

Old Jan 29th, 2016, 06:50 AM
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zika to cancel or not to cancel

Hi everyone,

I have a dilemma, we have a planned trip to Rio and Iguazu for carnival, and we are thinking about not going due to Zika. We are in our early 30s, two couples and no one is pregnant...

Just wanted to see if anyone is cancelling or postponing or if everyone is just going and taking percautions.

Thanks
izzy82 is offline  
Old Jan 29th, 2016, 12:33 PM
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We are in SA now and it is constantly in the news. If anyone had plans to get pregnant in the near future, I would think twice about going. At this point no one knows how long the virus might linger in one's body or whether there are after effects if you get bitten. Plus it's been mentioned that some people don't even know if they have been bitten. It's a hard decision to make and a risk and only you can judge if you are comfortable with that risk. Obviously talk with your physicians.
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Old Jan 29th, 2016, 04:33 PM
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I think the risk of getting bitten is relatively small but so little is known about why this virus, which has been around for decades, should suddenly be spreading so quickly, would give me pause if I were of child-bearing age.
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Old Jan 29th, 2016, 10:03 PM
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We leave in May for six months in South America and will certainly not be cancelling. Postponing is not an option because Zika has been around for many years and, like malaria and dengue fever will be around for many more.

I will naturally take the usual precautions such as repellent etc. to try not to get bitten - sadly, this will be in vain! If I were female, I would also ensure I didn't get pregnant whilst away or for several months after returning home.

Some facts about the Zika virus can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/news/2016/01Januar...-answered.aspx
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Old Jan 30th, 2016, 07:11 AM
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thank you so much for your input. It's such a hard decision, we've been planning and so excited about going.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2016, 09:43 AM
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The Brazilian govt. has now stated that pregnant women should not come to the Olympics.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2016, 05:49 PM
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I am a mosquito magnet, and have never gotten bitten in Rio, over many years of regular visits, and at rainy season. No dengue. No yellow fever. Same mosquito, flies in the early morning, and evening. Planning another trip for March and will not cancel, but possible pregnancy is not a concern.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2016, 08:22 PM
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See also:

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...zika-virus.cfm
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 10:20 AM
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The virus has not been known to have problems in Africa, where it has been around for decades, but new to South America and the Pacific Islands. So most likely in Africa, the infection and antibodies were had as a child, when there is no pregnancy issues. The actual virus is detected in the blood for a relatively short time, does not sound like one of the chronic viruses, so basically only getting pregnant while you have the virus in you, or getting the virus while you are pregnant, is the severe World Health issue right now. I have seen that American Airlines is refunding airfare for those who are pregnant, and had tickets to south america. With the rapid spread, I would not go to any of the south american/pacific islands right now if I were pregnant. Recommendations for getting pregnant afterwards are a guess, have heard waiting 6 months after potential exposure.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 05:32 AM
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There's Zika in Texas.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 06:31 AM
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And in Florida. Although so far the cases are travel related, the governor has declared a public health emergency:

http://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/EO1629.pdf
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 03:58 PM
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We're gong to Chile and Argentina in a few weeks. Luckily no Zika to report. However, we will be taking DEET with us.

I told my husband there's nothing to worry about because he's too old to get pregnant.
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Old Feb 5th, 2016, 05:56 AM
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Our trip is not until April, but I am asking myself the same question cancel or not...

I do not need to worry about pregnancy, but still... In addition to zika, It seems denge fever rate is high this year in Brazil ...

In the other hand, media normally makes everyone to panic more than it is warranted

Sitting at Brazilian consulate to apply for a visa as I type this message
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Old Feb 5th, 2016, 08:52 AM
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You have to understand the seasons in the destination where you intend to travel. Brazil has many different climate zones.
Mosquitos breed most in rainy season, in crevices that form when property is not well cared for.. In April, it is not rainy season in Rio. In this season (currently beginning of February) in Rio, there is usually a lot of rain. The mosquito problem usually calms down naturally as "autumn" arrives.
I am personally a mosquito magnet, but have never felt them in Rio.

From first hand reports, dengue is not particularly a problem anywhere in Brazil this summer (now) as it has been in years past. (Many online reports are not dated, so it may be hard to ascertain when they were posted, referring to what year's conditions.) But of course the current media mania is Zika, and the mosquitos are the same.

Cities and towns in Brazil are making great efforts, even going door to door, to make sure every niche that could harbor breeding mosquitos is cleaned up and dried out.
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Old Feb 5th, 2016, 05:34 PM
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Samba, thanks for this! This sounds reassuring. It i just so many panicked reports from everywhere, that is hard to ignore. I did not see many maps of Zika virus by state, so it is hard to see how big the risk is in each particular area.
I was wondering how it looks in Iguazu, but did not see anything.
I am pretty sure in Rio, they will do everything possible to minimize mosquito presence - spray, etc.
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Old Feb 5th, 2016, 05:54 PM
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From today's Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...mepage%2Fstory
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Old Feb 5th, 2016, 07:23 PM
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I am not sure I understand why media thinks there is a higher risk to get bitten by Zika infected mosquito during Carnaval, than on regular days.

I get it that a lot of people will be partying outside, but they do not stay inside during their normal life routines.
And chances are they would put more repellent on knowing they will be outside all day long, than they would do on everyday basis. Well, foreigners are at higher risk to get sick just because they are in Brazil, but not locals... Unless I am missing something.
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Old Feb 6th, 2016, 11:47 PM
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"I did not see many maps of Zika virus by state, so it is hard to see how big the risk is in each particular area."
Most of the cases of problem pregnancies have been reported around the city of Recife in Pernambuco state, quite far from Rio. This is the "northeast" as referenced in some reports.
From reports, most of the mothers live in poor areas, those that have a lot more debris and crevices that catch water, breeding areas for mosquitos. Sadly, the Brazilian public healthcare system may not be up to the challenge of adequately caring for babies with birth defects.

I found that Washington Post article to be written in a very alarmist style, beyond what might be necessary to present facts. This type of reporting is not helpful. Makes me wonder if the reporter has ever even been to Brazil.
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Old Feb 7th, 2016, 05:49 AM
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http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/...-south-america

From above link: "Specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are often difficult to determine and are likely to change over time."

Also:
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinat...er/none/brazil

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html
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Old Feb 7th, 2016, 09:43 AM
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I am a mosquito magnet. Even OFF does not keep every single mosquito away .. This is a seriously awful thing to get .
It doesn't really matter what other people think .. how will you think ? Will you forget about it and have fun or will you always worry ? if you did get an ordinary mosquito bite, would you freak out ?
You might be better off postponing .. if you are asking here already, your trip might be ruined by just worrying.
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