How much should I worry about Zika!?
 

My fiancé and I are heading to the Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal for our honeymoon towards the end of June. When we booked Zika wasn't absolutely determined to be the cause of birth defects, though suspect, with a wait time of two months to clear Zika from your system, if you got infected. We want to try getting pregnant after our wedding, but now that we know Zika causes defects and take 6 months to clear a man's system (at least that's what they're sayin now), it feels like much more of a risk to go... So I'm asking for others' observations. We will definitely bring DEET repellant and avoid swampy areas, but are the mosquitos bad in June, do the resorts do a lot of spraying, does anyone know anything else about Zika they could pass in? Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!! We're see sawing on whether or not to cancel... :(.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zik...el-information and http://www.cdc.gov/zika/index.html

In your position I would want to go somewhere that did not have Aedes aegypti mosquitoes - probably Europe. However, those mosquitoes are found in a number of US states, so it is only a matter of time before you need to worry about Zika in the US.

Thank you, Thursdaysd. Sadly, one of the best things about the Mexico trip was the price... We might be able to do half a week in Europe. And luckily, I'm a Canadian, so no threat of the carrier mosquito here. but I imagine it's going to get pretty serious when Zika hits the States. Thanks for your help.

I've heard that Air Canada has some cheap prices to Europe. Or look at WOW and Norwegian. Some parts of Europe can be very pricey, but Portugal and Greece are not, and are two of my favorite destinations. One of the less visited Greek islands would make a great honeymoon destination - just ask on the Europe board. Or maybe the Italian or Austrian lakes - you don't want to be too far south the end of June, it will already be hot.

The question is not how much you should worry but, given the stakes, why would you even consider going? Go anywhere there is zero danger from this virus.

Consider Morocco, a very romantic destination, I think, and inexpensive.

It is shocking that such a "conventional" travel destination as the Riviera Maya would now have this worry associated with it, but it does. Have you discussed this with your doctor?

It is more shocking that "we" are blithely going ahead with Rio Olympics, which is likely to spread the virus far and wide, not to mention endanger a number of athletes.

"We" can stay home under the bed, covered of course in 100% Deet repellent under our long pants/ sleeves.
A bit more personal experience with conditions in Brazil might be warranted before adding to the media induced (and IMO unfounded) panic about most folks visiting Brazil. I suspect the likelihood of mosquito bites at Rio venues in that season are as overblown as the also media induced panic about crime.
But Tom Jobim said it long ago: "Brazil is not for beginners."
And there's alwAys the possibility the country will implode before the opening ceremonies. LOL

But to the OP and anyone of childbearing age, there are lots of places in the world as yet without Zika, some of them even not so expensive. Your travel life has just begun.