Zika Virus threat

tonyarenay · April 2016

Is anyone else terrified of the Zika Virus outbreak and it possibly spreading to the states? Has anyone else had to cancel or not attend a vacation because of it???

UponAStar16 · April 2016

It sounds pretty scary with updates on the other defects and timeframe, but I'm not trying to worry about things beyond the basics until I need to. The last time I asked my doctor, she said even if we have the mosquitos that can carry it, the cases of the virus here so far have been found in those traveling or having sex with someone in affected areas. I'm not traveling anywhere tropical this year, but I can't personally do anything else about it right now. I'm trying to just leave it up to the CDC and everyone working in the field to figure it out and tell us what we need to do when it comes time.

FemShep · April 2016

tonyarenay said:

Is anyone else terrified of the Zika Virus outbreak and it possibly spreading to the states? Has anyone else had to cancel or not attend a vacation because of it???

I would be very scared if I lived in an area that was impacted currently by the outbreak, but I'm not worried about it spreading to the states. I didn't have any travel planned to an area that is impacted, so travel is not a concern.

kmalls · April 2016

There's been a few (rather long) conversations about this. Just do a quick search.

missteacherlady16 · April 2016

We had a trip planned to Nassau next month, but we're canceling. There's no cases of confirmed Zika on New Providence, but I'd rather be overly cautious. Unfortunately, even with our travel insurance, we'll still be losing 50% of the money we paid....I see my OB tomorrow, so I'm going to see if she'd be willing to write me an excuse that would fall under the policy (healthy pregnancy is an exclusion) but I'm not that hopeful.

sjo_thetwins · April 2016

According to the news this morning, they were saying that they were worried about TX - FL states. I'm in SC, so I'm naturally nervous about what this summer is going to bring. I swear I won't go outside.

mizzkbrat · April 2016

I'm in Houston so I can't really hide from it. We are also planning a trip to Destin in July, but if it's in Houston, it's in Destin so I would be screwed anywhere I went. Both FI and I carry around bug spray in our car and if we see bugs if we are out, will spray ourselves down. But, living in such a southern state, I can't be scared over it..just precautious.

agogo1 · April 2016

ahhhh I have to echo @kmalls and ask you to please do a search. We really don't need another Zika thread on this board unless there is mosquito-borne transmission within the US. Please.

JamieK1882 · April 2016

I posted a thread on this not too long ago. I'm going to Orlando for a combination work/pleasure trip at the end of the month. One of my docs said not to go, the other said it's fine. We decided to go, and I plan on wearing long pants or a maxi skirt and spraying myself with mosquito spray often.

von1976 · April 2016

No, not worried. There is not one single case of mosquito-borne Zika virus in the United States. I'm just not planning to travel to places where Zika is a problem. If I had to travel out of necessity to one of those places, I would simply wear bug spray with DEET while outdoors.

My mother lives in Florida and we are planning to visit her this summer. Zika is not in Florida as of yet. Not concerned at all.

greenlia · April 2016

I think this thread is totally warranted with yesterday's CDC announcement that Zika is "scarier" than previously anticipated since we now know it can be carried by a second species of mosquitoes that ranges as far north as New Hampshire and has habitat in 30 states, and today's announcement that it is definitely the virus that is causing devastating birth defects. They weren't expecting the second result until June, so obviously the CDC is ramping up on this issue.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the plug on a planned trip to New England this summer. I know it's statistically almost impossible I would get Zika in Connecticut (like, it is far more likely I'll be killed in a car crash), but I'm doing a mighty fine job coming up with unlikely scenarios where it happens (an infected mosquito gets on the plane on Atlanta!) and I hate myself for the rest of my life. And vacation while 6 months pregnant with two small children and massive anxiety sounds awful.

annabenanna · April 2016

@greenlia , I'm desperately looking for an article for that second species of mosquito...and can't find a recent article. Can you link me please?

Feeling paranoid too, with a trip to Atlanta in the summer and my OB who is already urging me to take precaution here in San Diego. She's like "we don't have cases here...YET---but it's still spring. Things may change really fast in a month or two."

Piperella · April 2016

I understand the need to be aware of the latest Zika info, but realistically, what do you think women are doing in those 30 identified states? We certainly aren't keeping ourselves in bubbles until October but we aren't twirling our hair standing outside near standing water in bikinis... We all need to use a bit of common sense here.

mrszoess · April 2016

I live on the water with my backyard as a marsh in NJ. what am I supposed to do? never leave? come on guys be smart about it and stop fear mongering. I haven't heard a word about this new information.

go to the carribean? no. go to New England? relax.

agogo1 · April 2016

I just really don't understand what anyone gains by having a whole thread basically devoted to talking about canceling travel plans because of Zika. Gosh, I feel sooo sorry for you for having to cancel you vacation. What kind of message do you think you're sending to ladies who actually live in the states that you won't visit?

Sorry not sorry.

mrszoess · April 2016

@agogo1 clearly we are pariahs and are going to get infected just looking outside. sorry my pregnant ass has no sympathyfor those of you cancelling a vacation I can't afford because I'm saving for the baby we are all worried about

mizzkbrat · April 2016

Eh, I'm gonna enjoy my trip to Florida. #bugspray #besmart

SuperNerd42 · April 2016

Just buy some damn bug spray and let's move on. It's really not that hard.

kmalls · April 2016

I avoided this thread yesterday because it's ridiculous, but...cancelling a trip to Connecticut?? Come. On.

Am I going to Brazil anytime soon? No. Will I take my kid for a walk here in MA? Of course. Let's get real here people.

missmaehurt · April 2016

If anyone would like to forfeit their vacation, I'm willing to take one for the team and go

emmaaa · April 2016

As someone who lives in NC (which apparently has reported 8 cases now, and still all of those cases are people who traveled OUTSIDE of the US), I am looking forward to my vacation to Boston (hopefully) this summer. Bugspray FTW.

PeggyOlsonFTW · April 2016

greenlia said:

I think this thread is totally warranted with yesterday's CDC announcement that Zika is "scarier" than previously anticipated since we now know it can be carried by a second species of mosquitoes that ranges as far north as New Hampshire and has habitat in 30 states, and today's announcement that it is definitely the virus that is causing devastating birth defects. They weren't expecting the second result until June, so obviously the CDC is ramping up on this issue.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the plug on a planned trip to New England this summer. I know it's statistically almost impossible I would get Zika in Connecticut (like, it is far more likely I'll be killed in a car crash), but I'm doing a mighty fine job coming up with unlikely scenarios where it happens (an infected mosquito gets on the plane on Atlanta!) and I hate myself for the rest of my life. And vacation while 6 months pregnant with two small children and massive anxiety sounds awful.

bamacoop · April 2016

I live in Alabama and have lived here my whole life. I always get eaten alive by mosquitos every year. I asked my doctor about Zika when I went last week and all she said was "I'd be more worried about the flu than Zika," so I'm feeling okay.

I visit my parents a lot and they have a ton of plants that like to hold on to water, so my mom is going to be more vigilant about trying to keep standing water away and getting some citronella candles for the patios, and I'm going to try to wear more bug spray when I go out. That's about it.

There have been reports of Zika in Bama, but only from those who have traveled outside the US. So until there's a transmission within state lines, I'm not going to stress about it because what else am I gonna do? Never go outside?

mrszoess · April 2016

I love you guys.

missteacherlady16 · April 2016

Oh.

I guess I missed the part that was worried about Zika spreading to the states. I did, by chance, happen to mention this to my OB yesterday, but she didn't seem concerned. Like others, I just plan to use bug spray and limit the amount of stagnant water in our general vicinity. I'm going to Hilton Head/Savannah the end of this month for a wedding and couldn't be more excited to get away for a few days. I'm not the least bit worried about it.

CopperBoom86 · April 2016

@bamacoop - Another Alabamian on this board... Hello! ***waves from Zika-infested, third world country-esque lower Alabama***

bamacoop · April 2016

@CopperBoom86 HI!! Also-love your siggy! It's the first Opossum I've seen who doesn't look like he wants to murder me!

LizaKate1213 · April 2016

Really, @greenlia?! I think it sounds more like you just don't want to deal with the hassle of traveling while pregnant and with small children in towe than you don't want to get Zika. I live in Rhode Island, which is right next to CT, on a river. I have no plans to not go fishing or kayaking over this. Life does not stop because of a virus that, thus far, doesn't even exist in the U.S. yet. You are being quite irrational.

kmtz89 · April 2016

Darn, judging by this hysteria I should just roll over and die since i DO live in a "third world" country and the mosquitoes that carry Zika were pretty much born here.

Kaytee1087 · April 2016

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html

Be careful how you read this, it looks scarier than it is.

It counts US territories when it counts total cases. There have been ZERO locally confirmed cases of Zika in the United States. Even Hawaii hasn't seen a locally contracted case. There are US citizens that have acquired it during their travels, but NO ONE from the states has contracted it AT HOME. There have been cases in Puerto Rico and USVI and my hearts go out to the pregnant mothers in those areas, but just don't travel to the USVI or Puerto Rico....

par_mach_kai · April 2016

I'm all for not fear mongering but it still looks pretty serious- and we aren't in full mosquito season yet so just because there haven't been any cases yet doesn't mean that there won't be. I will say that I work in high risk OB at one of the largest newborn centers and our fetal medicine experts expect this to become a problem. Luckily they've developed a test that can pick up on the virus several weeks after exposure, unlike what the cdc originally thought. It's not guaranteed to pick it up but they've proven that it can. I do think that if we see cases in the United States that we would naturally see it in the southern states first.

queen_frostine · April 2016

I'm terrified of Zika. I live in Texas. I know it's not here yet, but it's not mosquito season yet, either (although my husband has already been bitten a few times. I keep telling him to wear the damn bug spray if he's going out in the yard.) I almost never spend any time out of doors anyway (it's too damn hot) but I'm still terrified that I'm going to get bitten walking to my car or something. And I don't want to wear bug spray every day! I hate the feeling and also don't know that all those chemicals all the time would be that great for baby, either. If I didn't live in Texas, no, I wouldn't visit here this summer! But I probably wouldn't worry too much about New England.

mamabearks1012 · May 2016

@RainMira9e I feel ya! I live in North Florida and got 3 bites on Saturday when we were out and about. Now I'm freaking out even though there still aren't any locally aquired cases, I would hate to be the first! Guess I will stay inside and wear bug spray if I go anywhere. Really stinks we have to worry about a bug on top of everything else.

CaptainPhasma · May 2016

RainMira9e said:

I'm terrified of Zika. I live in Texas. I know it's not here yet, but it's not mosquito season yet, either (although my husband has already been bitten a few times. I keep telling him to wear the damn bug spray if he's going out in the yard.) I almost never spend any time out of doors anyway (it's too damn hot) but I'm still terrified that I'm going to get bitten walking to my car or something. And I don't want to wear bug spray every day! I hate the feeling and also don't know that all those chemicals all the time would be that great for baby, either. If I didn't live in Texas, no, I wouldn't visit here this summer! But I probably wouldn't worry too much about New England.

I live in Texas and often work outdoors so I purchased some permethrin treated shirts to help keep the skeeters at bay:
https://www.rei.com/s/bug-protection-clothing?ir=collection:bug-protection-clothing&page=1
Even if, like most tropical dseases, zika never takes hold here, I'm happy to have an excuse to be a dork about bug repellent. And it's DEET-free!

queen_frostine · May 2016

@captainphasma I got some spray permethrin so I may have to treat some of our clothes. My husband sprayed it around our windows/doors to see if it kept mosquitoes away from the openings.

Our problem has been mosquitoes in the house! We've been trying to figure out how they got here. We sealed up some spaces where water may have been leaking and sitting, so hopefully that will help. It should be sealed up (we're air-conditioned) so it's bewildering otherwise.

kmvisioli · May 2016

Houstonian here. It never really got cold this winter, so the mosquitoes are already bad and practically the size of house flies...but frankly I'm just not that worried about something that can be easily prevented and isn't even a real threat here yet. Thanks for the tip on the shirts @CaptainPhasma! I currently use DoTerra's TerraShield outdoor blend, and I have a whole bunch of mosquito repelling plants (lemon balm, lemongrass, lavender, etc.) and lanterns on my deck.

kmtz89 · May 2016

And the thread comes back....

I'm fairly uncomfortable that Zika basically originated next door (uganda) but there is very little known about its effects here in Tanzania. Though every Dr. apt I get tested for Malaria which is equally terrifying.

CaptainPhasma · May 2016

kmolleltz said:

And the thread comes back....

I'm fairly uncomfortable that Zika basically originated next door (uganda) but there is very little known about its effects here in Tanzania. Though every Dr. apt I get tested for Malaria which is equally terrifying.

My understanding is the reason that's the case is because in countries where Zika originated, the local population got exposed before childbearing age, had mild symptoms, and were then fine afterwards. It's in the Americas where women of childbearing age are being exposed to the disease for the first time that it's more of an issue.

if I lived someplace with malaria I would definitely embrace all the permethrin treated mosquito netting I could find.

kmtz89 · May 2016

CaptainPhasma said:

kmolleltz said:

And the thread comes back....

I'm fairly uncomfortable that Zika basically originated next door (uganda) but there is very little known about its effects here in Tanzania. Though every Dr. apt I get tested for Malaria which is equally terrifying.

My understanding is the reason that's the case is because in countries where Zika originated, the local population got exposed before childbearing age, had mild symptoms, and were then fine afterwards. It's in the Americas where women of childbearing age are being exposed to the disease for the first time that it's more of an issue.

if I lived someplace with malaria I would definitely embrace all the permethrin treated mosquito netting I could find.

Yeah that is the deal for now, they are believing most people in Sub-Sahara Africa to have some sort of immunity. The thing is, I wasn't born here.... and so I fall into a gray area where I am possibly being exposed for the first time but because I am such a minority here there is very little information for me.

kathleenkat · May 2016

I'm not terrified because I figure my chances of getting hit by a bus are far greater. Remember ebola? Like 3 Americans got it, and none of them died, yet everyone was freaking out all the while there were more fatalities from the flu. This is what happens when poorly understood diseases become widespread in other parts of the world.

blaf322 · May 2016

why won't this thread die already?!

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