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Zika on island? #83413
01/22/2016 08:20 AM
01/22/2016 08:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 769
Western MA
S
SandS Offline OP
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SandS  Offline OP
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S
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Posts: 769
Western MA
Our pregnant daughter is considering cancelling her February trip. She talked to an island resident and they told her no one is really talking about it. The only info we have is the Daily Herald article that states one confirmed case. Yes, the stakes are high but is she over reacting? Does anyone on island or has recently been on island have any I imput ?

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Re: Zika on island? [Re: SandS] #83414
01/22/2016 08:28 AM
01/22/2016 08:28 AM
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Posts: 7,376
SXMWendell Offline
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The notices are especially for pregnant women. I would err on the side of caution if I were her. It takes about 4 to 7 days to get over it.

SXM??? Wendell

Re: Zika on island? [Re: SandS] #83415
01/22/2016 08:31 AM
01/22/2016 08:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Ohio
I would think this would be better addressed with your daughter's doctors and take their opinion and thoughts into consideration.

The pregnant women who live on the island have to deal with it but they don't have the options your daughter and others have.


J.D.
Re: Zika on island? [Re: ruralcarrier] #83416
01/22/2016 08:39 AM
01/22/2016 08:39 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Brookfield, CT.
I agree ABSOLUTELY. She needs to discuss this with her doctor who hopefully is well informed on the topic and knows there has been a diagnosed case there. The wrong decision could be devastating for all concerned and it only takes one tiny moskie bite but the effects of that same bite could be horrendous.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Zika on island? [Re: ruralcarrier] #83417
01/22/2016 08:47 AM
01/22/2016 08:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Agreed...with this disease early pregnancy is probably a good time to err on the side of caution.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: boucharda] #83418
01/22/2016 03:27 PM
01/22/2016 03:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
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Zanshin  Online Content
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Grenada

Last edited by Zanshin; 01/22/2016 03:35 PM.

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Re: Zika on island? [Re: Zanshin] #83419
01/22/2016 03:39 PM
01/22/2016 03:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 769
Western MA
S
SandS Offline OP
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SandS  Offline OP
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Western MA
Thank you everyone. The decision was easy once the CDC added St Maarten to the Alert Level 2. I guess we will have an additional guest next year.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: SandS] #83420
01/23/2016 07:41 AM
01/23/2016 07:41 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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I was surprised to read that the CDC recommends a HepA vaccine to travel to SXM

Re: Zika on island? [Re: SandS] #83421
01/23/2016 08:27 AM
01/23/2016 08:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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Quote
SandS said:
Thank you everyone. The decision was easy once the CDC added St Maarten to the Alert Level 2. I guess we will have an additional guest next year.


I don't really understand your post, but you do know that Zika is only a danger to unborn children? Its effects are very minor in adults.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: RonDon] #83422
01/23/2016 08:36 AM
01/23/2016 08:36 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 406
Near Chicago
LovesSXM Offline
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Near Chicago
Quote
RonDon said:
I was surprised to read that the CDC recommends a HepA vaccine to travel to SXM

A local friend contracted Hepatitis A while on St Martin some years ago. It occurs from ingesting contaminated food or water. He was quite sick, missed weeks of work. After that, we got Hep A vaccine!

Re: Zika on island? [Re: GaKaye] #83423
01/23/2016 08:58 AM
01/23/2016 08:58 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 870
Boston, MA
iscrogr Offline
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Boston, MA
In the original post: "Our pregnant daughter is considering cancelling her February trip"
so this would be a major consideration!

Re: Zika on island? [Re: iscrogr] #83424
01/23/2016 10:36 AM
01/23/2016 10:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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Quote
iscrogr said:
In the original post: "Our pregnant daughter is considering cancelling her February trip"
so this would be a major consideration!


Oops! I didn't put the last post together with the original one! Yes, a major consideration.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: GaKaye] #83425
01/23/2016 01:53 PM
01/23/2016 01:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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S and S was referring to the fact that because their daughter is pregnant, she has decided not to go with them this year, but next year when they go, she will be going with the new baby as an additional guest.She made this decision after more warnings were posted as it is a danger to pregnant women.




Re: Zika on island? [Re: SandS] #83426
01/23/2016 03:10 PM
01/23/2016 03:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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PelicanPirate Offline
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Probably a wise choice unless staying clothed head to toe in air conditioning. We've been bit each trip in both the daytime and night time on the beach and in restaurants on both sides of the island especially if winds are calm. Given the effects on a baby. I hope this subsides back to "normal" dengue fever and chickingunga.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: GaKaye] #83427
01/23/2016 03:15 PM
01/23/2016 03:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
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Palm Beach County
Quote
GaKaye said:
Quote
SandS said:
Thank you everyone. The decision was easy once the CDC added St Maarten to the Alert Level 2. I guess we will have an additional guest next year.



I don't really understand your post, but you do know that Zika is only a danger to unborn children? Its effects are very minor in adults.


Pretty sure that's the point; the pregnant daughter won't be coming this year, but the grandchild will be next year.

Congrats and good luck to the growing fmaily! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Re: Zika on island? [Re: jenniboston] #83428
01/23/2016 05:10 PM
01/23/2016 05:10 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Yes, I get it now. I didn't read the initial post carefully enough.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: GaKaye] #83429
01/24/2016 10:21 AM
01/24/2016 10:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
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Zanshin  Online Content
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Grenada
While on the subject of Zika (and Chikungunya) virus and their vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus - does anyone know where on island I could get either dilute or concentrated permethrin? I'd like to soak some of my daytime clothing and sheets in it to get a measure of protection. While treated clothing is available and I know that self-treated clothing only lasts about 5-8 washes I'd prefer to keep my own threads smile
p.s. For those who aren't aware of it, the U.S. military treats their BDUs with this same solution; coupled with strong DEET on skin it offers almost 100% protection from mozzies, ticks and other nasties.


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Re: Zika on island? [Re: Zanshin] #83430
01/24/2016 10:44 AM
01/24/2016 10:44 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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Rhode Island
I would be interested as well because I can treat my clothing before I leave (available at Bass stores) but if we're on island longer than 2 weeks, would want to add again since it's effectiveness dissipates with each washing.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: RonDon] #83431
01/24/2016 12:29 PM
01/24/2016 12:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 450
Teresasxm Offline
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Story ran on Canadian News last night. A doctor was interviewed and she said she is advising all of her pregnant patients not to go to ANY island in the Caribbean this year due to Zika. The doctor said Mothers-to-be who are infected with Zika stand the chance of delivering babies with small heads and undersized brains leading to possible developmental issues. Very scary!

Re: Zika on island? [Re: Teresasxm] #83432
01/24/2016 01:00 PM
01/24/2016 01:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,496
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
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Zanshin  Online Content
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Grenada
RonDon - I don't know if there's a source on-island, but if not I'll be using 4-Star Cargo to ship some from mainland USA; I'm in the UK at the moment and can only get 350ml of 0.5% solution for about £8.50 - that's very expensive compared to the USA market which has veterinary 10% solution in larger quantities and this can be diluted and applied to clothing and other items. In your case you could just take it with you in your baggage.

p.s. 7 washings is a lot to do in 2 weeks smile If you hand-wash the treatment will last even longer, since it is mechanical and not chemical action that removes the protection.


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Re: Zika on island? [Re: Teresasxm] #83433
01/24/2016 02:26 PM
01/24/2016 02:26 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
B
Bahston Offline
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Quote
Teresasxm said:
Story ran on Canadian News last night. A doctor was interviewed and she said she is advising all of her pregnant patients not to go to ANY island in the Caribbean this year due to Zika.


She sounds like a smart and common sense doctor to me.

Zika will inevitably spread to the same places where Chikungunya has spread to, and Dengue before that. Before long, if not already the case, there won't be an island in the Caribbean where Zika isn't present.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: LovesSXM] #83434
01/25/2016 11:58 AM
01/25/2016 11:58 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,056
PA
biglar Offline
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We recently had an article in our local paper about a child being born in a nearby county with an extremely small head. It was because the mother had been to an infected country and had been bitten by the Asian tiger mosquito. That is the mosquito that carries the Zika virus. It does cause a fairly mild fever, rash and headaches in adults, pregnant or not.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: biglar] #83435
01/26/2016 08:21 AM
01/26/2016 08:21 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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St. Thomas, USVI
biglar: The vector for Zika is the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It also carries dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya.

Okay, I see that the Aedes albopictus CAN carry the virus. However, in the Caribbean, our little A. aegypti seems to be the main suspect.

Last edited by Nutmeg; 01/26/2016 08:28 AM.

[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color]
Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
Re: Zika on island? [Re: Nutmeg] #83436
01/26/2016 11:05 AM
01/26/2016 11:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
SXMWendell Offline
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Posts: 7,376
CNN article

SXM??? Wendell

Re: Zika on island? [Re: SXMWendell] #83437
01/28/2016 02:49 PM
01/28/2016 02:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Just saw this in the Boston Globe (from the WHO)

Quote
Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, said at a special meeting Thursday in Geneva that the Zika virus — which has been linked to birth defects and neurological problems — was “spreading explosively.”

Chan said although there was no definitive proof that the Zika virus was responsible for a spike in the number of babies being born with abnormally small heads in Brazil, “the level of alarm is extremely high.” She also noted a possible relationship between Zika infection and Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis.

“The possible links, only recently suspected, have rapidly changed the risk profile of Zika from a mild threat to one of alarming proportions,” Chan said.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: boucharda] #83438
01/28/2016 05:28 PM
01/28/2016 05:28 PM
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Posts: 1,881
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Bahston Offline
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France's Health Minister is recommending that pregnant women avoid travel to France's overseas territories due to the Zika outbreak. French Guyana, Martinique, and Guadeloupe are mentioned by name, but St Martin would fall under "other overseas territories".

An article in English:
http://www.thelocal.fr/20160128/zika-virus-frances-pregnant-women-urged-to-avoid-the-caribbean

And one in French:
http://www.francetvinfo.fr/sante/maladie...er_1288861.html

Re: Zika on island? SXM Reacts [Re: Bahston] #83439
01/28/2016 05:40 PM
01/28/2016 05:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Ohio


J.D.
Re: Zika on island? [Re: GaKaye] #83440
01/29/2016 12:10 PM
01/29/2016 12:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 84
East Central Florida
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Marcheall Offline
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East Central Florida
"Its effects are very minor in adults."

Perhaps the affects are being understated. Here is a first-hand account in todays NY Post...

http://nypost.com/2016/01/28/first-person-account-of-being-stricken-with-the-zika-virus/

Re: Zika on island? [Re: Marcheall] #83441
01/29/2016 02:26 PM
01/29/2016 02:26 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 535
norwalk, ct
D
Dansc Offline
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norwalk, ct
it will be interesting to see if units starting opening up at timeshares. I have an ongoing search at divi that hasnt gotten a hit in over a month. we shall see what the weekend brings! scary stuff

Re: Zika on island? [Re: Dansc] #83442
01/29/2016 03:38 PM
01/29/2016 03:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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Maryland/DC Metro
Quote
Dansc said:
it will be interesting to see if units starting opening up at timeshares. I have an ongoing search at divi that hasnt gotten a hit in over a month. we shall see what the weekend brings! scary stuff


Problem is, even as travelers we are going, getting bit, and bringing the virus back. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> That is how it will spread in the US. Then a mosquito here will bite...and so on, and so forth.

Went to a blood drive today and they would not accept me as I had traveled to an area where there have been cases. St Maarten.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Zika on island? [Re: BeachKitten] #83443
01/30/2016 08:16 AM
01/30/2016 08:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 535
norwalk, ct
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Dansc Offline
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norwalk, ct
I heard about the blood drive thing. Wise to be cautious. Last year I didn't get bit once, hope I can repeat that this year.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: Dansc] #83444
01/30/2016 03:34 PM
01/30/2016 03:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
Clackamas, OR
Fivesumwr Offline
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Clackamas, OR
Concerning the Hep A vaccine: once you've contracted Hep A you become immune. You may have contracted and not even known as the symptoms mimic the flu.
The cost to test if you have immunity is more than the vaccine. We opted to get the vaccine as there was no additional risk for double immunity.
You can contact Hep A at home or abroad.

Re: Zika on island? [Re: Fivesumwr] #83445
01/30/2016 04:39 PM
01/30/2016 04:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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...and it is one of the routine vaccinations for children


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