Zika

flipflopped · June 2016

Due to my field, public health, I hear about zika every single day. How are you guys feeling about it being a thing now? I go from being totally freaked out to I'm going to be just fine and eat up every new morsel of information.

Xstatic3333 · June 2016

I am not freaked out-but-I live in Rhode Island. I think it warrants reasonable precautions, but not panic for most living in the continental U.S. or Canada. I think it also warrants learning the real facts. I see so many posts on TB along the lines of "I'm so worried about Zika that I'm only going to go outside in the daytime," showing that even though people are panicking about the disease they're not going to the trouble of learning that Aedes mosquitos are active in the daytime as opposed to dusk like other more common species.

There are also a lot of communities spraying wetlands and natural areas specifically for Zika, when Aedes more commonly breeds in small spaces in proximity to human dwellings, like a shovel that is allowed to collect rain for a few days. This is throwing good money after bad and could have implications for other insect species who may be beneficial in some way, like aquatic insects who feed on mosquito larvae.

I get bitten a lot. I'm one of those people for whom going outside in the summer and not getting bit just doesn't happen. I normally use hippy-dippy EO bug spray but now I am using a 10% DEET instead. That's about as far as I'm going. If I lived in South Florida or TX my precautions would go farther. That's not to minimize the severity of the situation for those living where the mosquito is endemic. It's horrible, sad, and very scary. I just don't think most of the U.S. is quite in the same peril.

flipflopped · June 2016

@xstatic3333 So happy to hear an informed voice! I'm skipping a family camping trip, even though it isn't a high risk area, it is a risk I'm not comfortable with. Still going to the DE beaches this summer.

Xstatic3333 · June 2016

round2 said:

@xstatic3333 So happy to hear an informed voice! I'm skipping a family camping trip, even though it isn't a high risk area, it is a risk I'm not comfortable with. Still going to the DE beaches this summer.

Totally understandable! There are quite a few precautions I'm taking with this pregnancy for the express reason of making myself feel better, and that's reason enough. There's plenty to worry about that we can't control anyway. I'm hoping to hit the beach, too. Our beaches tend to have way more evil biting flies than mosquitoes anyway.

scottipino · June 2016

I was in the Dominican Republic 2.5 months ago and barely had 2 bites. I am also in the medical field and read about the updates often. Fortunate to live in N IL where the mosquito vectors aren't really present so feel like my overall risk is low. Actually spoke with my OB today about the theoretical risk due to my recent trip and we both concluded with minimal bites and no symptoms not to test. We were contemplating a trip to FL in the fall that we have chosen to postpone though. Curious to see what happens this summer, will be have some non-imported cases in the US? I am guessing we will.

flipflopped · June 2016

@scottipino I was in the DR four months ago and didn't see a single bug so safe on that side. FL would be too much for me.

peachesnbean · June 2016

I am a Biologist and I work at Purdue where they determined the structure so I hear a LOT about it. (Not my department though). I have anxiety about these kinds of things, for example when ebola was a big deal I had a full on anxiety attack at work about. I've been surprisingly calm about Zika so far, but we did cancel our July camping trip (Zika was not the only factor). I plan on using more bug spray then I usually do (all natural from Spirit Goat) and making sure our lawn is well kept.

Vastra · June 2016

Yeah, trying not to freak out. People I've talked to seem to think that ALL mosquitos everywhere carry it, and people have been overreacting. I did buy some citronella plants to line the deck, because mosquitos in general are gross and annoying, and also it smells lovely. @Xstatic3333 , thanks for clarifying the behavioral differences! This country definitely has a history of deteriorating into chaos when we're dealing with a disease we don't understand (see: the 80s).

blush64 · June 2016

I am in Ontario, Canada so I am not really worried. I happen to hate mosquitos so I will wear spray with DEET.

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

Posted part of this on the Jan 2017 board ...lurking there since I'm due at beginning of February:

We have a two and a half week trip booked for this August to spend time with family in the Caribbean since our previous trip there in April was unplanned and short. Hubby wants to cancel.. I'm actually torn.... We can't just live in a bubble? My family lives there and they can't just leave they have to deal with it. My Dad is 76 and I worry about not seeing him enough since I live here in the states now. I'm so stressed about this I can't see straight .... Ugh! It's like I have to choose between the family I have and already know and the family I'm growing....

This is a major point of stress right now for me... am officially freaking out! What kind of virus only affects a bunch of pregnant ladies???? (Btw yes I know there are links to GBS for the general population - but it's at a lower risk fraction.)

flipflopped · June 2016

@caribbeanmama that sounds like a tough spot to be in. Go with your gut and make sure that you are at peace with your decision.

angeltennis3 · June 2016

I intend to use bug spray if I am outside for more than an hour +, but I am not too worried. One case has occurred in my state for a man who recently travelled to a high risk area.

I will use bug spray with deet when I am outside for longer periods of time, but I do not intend to limit my outside time as a result.

Eveinshock · June 2016

I'm going to Greece for 3 weeks Friday and read that Southern Europe is expecting to see cases this summer. I ordered 30% DEET spray. I never use bug spray ever but I am more scared of Zika than the spray.

I have so much stress over this trip, this baby, traveling so far, my wedding in 10 days, paperwork i still need, not fitting in my dress....that I am having chest pains and panic attacks. Zika is just one more thing to contribute to my pending breakdown.

FishyMom · June 2016

Does anyone know the website for high risk areas? or how many confirmed cases are in a certain state? I am sure I can google, but it seems like we have some pretty knowledgeable girls on here.

momousekee · June 2016

We had 8 detections of Aedes last year in my county. No adults found, but they've been finding eggs, larve and immature mosquitos for a few years - always in the same neighborhood.

There's some tiny risk, but there have been no locally transmitted cases in the US (just in territories.) There's a well-updated map at https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/united-states.html

Aedes transmits a number of pretty unpleasant diseases, so if they find them again, I'll alter my bike routes so I don't go through that neighborhood, but otherwise probably won't worry about it.

catiecatp · June 2016

I haven't been concerned up until now - being in Canada there isn't supposed to be much/any risk. But in August I'll be moving to San Antonio TX and I'm concerned about that. I figure I'll stay inside more (I'll be starting a new job, I'm sure I'll have a lot to do) and bug spray when I go outside (work has a man-made lake and lots of trees, I'm sure they'll have bugs... again, stay inside more - I'll enjoy the setting once baby is born).

Like FishyMom said, I'm sure I could google it but since y'all are informed already, does anyone have a link to the bug spray they are recommending? I hate DEET but I'll use it once outside of Canada...

Steelerfan78 · June 2016

catiecatp said:

I haven't been concerned up until now - being in Canada there isn't supposed to be much/any risk. But in August I'll be moving to San Antonio TX and I'm concerned about that. I figure I'll stay inside more (I'll be starting a new job, I'm sure I'll have a lot to do) and bug spray when I go outside (work has a man-made lake and lots of trees, I'm sure they'll have bugs... again, stay inside more - I'll enjoy the setting once baby is born).

Like FishyMom said, I'm sure I could google it but since y'all are informed already, does anyone have a link to the bug spray they are recommending? I hate DEET but I'll use it once outside of Canada...

https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-insect-repellent-right-you

edited link

Xstatic3333 · June 2016

Steelerfan78 said:

catiecatp said:

I haven't been concerned up until now - being in Canada there isn't supposed to be much/any risk. But in August I'll be moving to San Antonio TX and I'm concerned about that. I figure I'll stay inside more (I'll be starting a new job, I'm sure I'll have a lot to do) and bug spray when I go outside (work has a man-made lake and lots of trees, I'm sure they'll have bugs... again, stay inside more - I'll enjoy the setting once baby is born).

Like FishyMom said, I'm sure I could google it but since y'all are informed already, does anyone have a link to the bug spray they are recommending? I hate DEET but I'll use it once outside of Canada...

https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents

I hate DEET too but apparently it doesn't pose any huge risk in pregnancy. Even the Environmental Working Group, a chemical watchdog group that errs way on the side of caution, is recommending it for pregnant women in affected areas.

Steelerfan78 · June 2016

Xstatic3333 said:

Steelerfan78 said:

catiecatp said:

I haven't been concerned up until now - being in Canada there isn't supposed to be much/any risk. But in August I'll be moving to San Antonio TX and I'm concerned about that. I figure I'll stay inside more (I'll be starting a new job, I'm sure I'll have a lot to do) and bug spray when I go outside (work has a man-made lake and lots of trees, I'm sure they'll have bugs... again, stay inside more - I'll enjoy the setting once baby is born).

Like FishyMom said, I'm sure I could google it but since y'all are informed already, does anyone have a link to the bug spray they are recommending? I hate DEET but I'll use it once outside of Canada...

https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents

I hate DEET too but apparently it doesn't pose any huge risk in pregnancy. Even the Environmental Working Group, a chemical watchdog group that errs way on the side of caution, is recommending it for pregnant women in affected areas.

I am not a fan of DEET either. So, I use Avon. I live in FL and it works great. It also doesn't have that horrid smell to it either. I buy it from Amazon.

Image: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61EGxXQyKqL._SY679_.jpg

ETA: It is also EPA registered.

catiecatp · June 2016

Thanks ladies - I knew I could count on you to give me options. I'll be sure to write down the links so I can find them when I need them in a month or so.

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

The zika map from the cdc website:

https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html

I have read that 10% DEET is the most effective. The recommendation is also to wear long sleeved clothing sprayed with DEET if in an affected area. As of right now, the US does not appear to have any vector transmitted cases, there are only projections of where it could occur. One is a projection map from NASA and the other was linked from the CDC in an NPR story about where the mosquitoes live (not currently infected):

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2016/nasa-helps-forecast-zika-risk.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/06/13/481606093/heres-really-where-zika-mosquitoes-are-likely-in-the-u-s

Some people are 'invisible' to mosquitoes - there was a research article in Science on this a few years ago explaining why some individuals are more likely to be bitten than others. There are several factors, but some persons secrete a chemical signal declaring their blood type, which attracts the mosquitoes. The researchers determined that 85% of the variability came from genetic factors versus things like exercise and what you ate and color clothing. Being pregnant was another marker supposedly due to metabolic differences. That article is a few years old though so not sure what updates have been made since then. All in all it's pretty fascinating stuff!

yogadevil · June 2016

As far as I'm aware there's been no cases in the US where the person hadn't traveled to a high risk area (south america, Caribbean, etc) or slept with someone who did so I'm not going to stress based on speculation. I wear bug spray anyways because mosquitos always give me a hard time, and we're most likely cancelling our trip to the USVI/BVI's in September anyways since getting our BFP.

I know the fear is real, but I can't help but wonder how valid that fear is in the US- especially up north where we live. I'm not going to borrow trouble, pregnancy is stressful enough

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

Am absolutely not worried about the US. Haven't seen any reason to be based on current findings as of yet. Am only worried about travel to the Caribbean. Bye bye vacation.... bye bye family :'(

Xstatic3333 · June 2016

caribbeanmama said:

Am absolutely not worried about the US. Haven't seen any reason to be based on current findings as of yet. Am only worried about travel to the Caribbean. Bye bye vacation.... bye bye family :'(

I'm sorry Zika is keeping you from family. Is there any way you could fly someone to visit you? We're considering this for H's dad who lives in South FL.

catiecatp · June 2016

@caribbeanmama - the projected risk map you shared is such a relief - to see the city that I'm moving to in the low risk zone is great. But we're also planning a trip in December and were considering our options - since we haven't been following the zika news, we weren't aware that Florida is considered so high risk (now that I think about it, it makes sense...). So we'll plan that trip for another time and will go elsewhere.

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

Xstatic3333 said:

caribbeanmama said:

Am absolutely not worried about the US. Haven't seen any reason to be based on current findings as of yet. Am only worried about travel to the Caribbean. Bye bye vacation.... bye bye family :'(

I'm sorry Zika is keeping you from family. Is there any way you could fly someone to visit you? We're considering this for H's dad who lives in South FL.

That's a good idea! I may have to look into that after all. I have yet to cancel the flights/hotel - though I called both and they said they would allow a full refund. I keep hoping I will wake up and it will all be a big misunderstanding. Sorry your family is the same situation - ugh! This sucks!

ikaitlyngrove · June 2016

We conceived days before going to St lucia, didn't know we were pregnant yet. Literally conceive on our wedding night, we were on our honeymoon. Wore bunch of bug spray but still got bit. I'm worried now that the at home test is positive. St lucia is in the cdc no go for pregnant ladies, I'm asking my doc at first visit. Advice?

caribbeanmama-2 · June 2016

@ikaitlyngrove I spoke with my midwife about this today. I travelled to the Caribbean in April. I don't recall getting any mosquito bites. The information being passed on is that there is an unknown effect of zika on future pregnancies and it is not known at what stage of gestation the virus affects the fetus. I asked if I should be tested for the virus based on travel history and she said no and asked if I did test would I do anything differently based on the outcome. Her implication was that the knowledge may not be useful at this point. I pushed for the test and she then explained that up until a few months ago there was one place to get testing done in the country and that as of right now there is one place for testing at the state level so it is not a real option. She did forbid travel to affected areas.

I guess we just need to try to stay calm.

also, nice job on planning honeymoon over ovulation days. So organized!

tishb · June 2016

I'm pretty comfortable with no risk where I live in Iowa, however, DH is going on a mission trip to Mexico in August. So that's got me freaking out a little bit. I told him he needs to regularly bathe in bug spray so he doesn't get bit and come home to transmit it to me!

laurenmichael725 · June 2016

I live in northern NJ. As far as I know the Zika mosquito doesn't usually travel this far north, but I live right on that border area. Decided not to go to Aruba for vacation this summer, but are going to Cape May in southern NJ. I just bought bug spray with deet, which I plan to use when going outside this summer. Will probably spend more time indoors than normal. I usually get bitten frequently by mosquitoes.

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