According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, there is an outbreak of Dengue fever in Brazil at this time. I am going to Rio De Janeiro for 10 days in August and am wondering if anyone knows about the presence of mosquitoes in the city at this time? <BR>Will I REALLY need to spray insect repellent everyday and wear long sleeved shirts at dusk?

Are you sure? Check the date on that article. I know that last March there was an outbreak and that was during the summer and high heat when the mosquitos are a problem. I was there at that time in Rio and I did put repellent on 3 times a day and I never saw a mosquito around the tourist and beach areas, the problem is only inland in the more densely populated areas. But the repellent worked against all the other bugs, while people were swatting flies as normal, they never bothered me.

Don,<BR><BR>Thank you for your reply and I'll check the CDC website again. Does anyone know the mosquito/Dengue fever situation in Rio now?

Im sorry that my post wasn't clear but there is no Dengue problem in Rio right now, this is their winter and as a result mosquitoes would not be a problem. I read O Globo every day online and chat with many Rio frequent travelers and it is not even mentioned. But last Feb and March their summer it was in the papers every day.

Angela, I found a previous post and I topped it for you, the title is:Rio in August/September 2003. Check it out I believe the person lives in Rio who is refering to Dengue.

Hi. Just came back from Rio less than 2 weeks ago. Didn't notice anything unusual. When I was there in April, they were spraying in the streets. I guess that did the trick. Have fun!

Also from what I understand the level of the outbreak that happened this past summer in Rio is not something that happens every year. I think that the last time it happened like that was 7 years before. So I wouldn't worry too much about dengue as a constant problem because it is not.

Hi Angela, I live in Sao Paulo and I can tell you for sure that the dengue problem in Rio is almost over. You won´t need to spray insect repellent, at least in August...

Thank you Don, Terry, and Flavia. I am definitely more comfortable now with your feedback. I am the type of person who mosquitoes flock to, then I develop allergic reactions to the bites. So this was a concern, BUT NOT ANYMORE. Your messages are greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>angela

Dengue is back