Zika in Florida

ashleygorokhovsky · July 2016

I haven't posted much but I read all of your posts daily and enjoy them.

As I'm sure you've all heard, they are confirming 4 cases of Zika transmitted by mosquito in Miami. While I live across the country now, I grew up about 45 minutes north of this area and my family has just sent out notifications for a baby shower in September for me there. I was literally about to book my flight this evening.

Is it being overly cautious to consider canceling? I would move the location, but my grandmother in particular cannot travel so she would be unable to attend. I don't know that the health of my child is worth this, but also don't want to be overreacting.

thoughts?

princesslockness · July 2016

I honestly wouldn't do anything until the CDC confirms the claim.

SaraRose83 · July 2016

This is probably going to sound stupid, but I think if you stay inside most the time you'll probably be ok. Especially if you avoid dusk and spray like crazy. But I would be worried too. DH's family is in Florida and I have two pregnant friends over there and I've thought multiple times, I'm so glad I don't live there right now. I know that's messed up, but that shiz is scary.

ashleygorokhovsky · July 2016

It's on the CDC's website, but they definitely haven't released any updated travel recommendations.

Mosquitos love me and find a way to bite me no matter how much spray/how much clothing is in the way.

I'm thinking I'll delay booking flight but not cancel anything yet....

sourlemon · July 2016

I would still go...just wear long sleeves and pants (light material so you don't die), spray with bug spray, and stay indoors as much as possible.

Was DH going with you? I would make him do the same precautions or use protection or abstain from sex the rest of the pregnancy.

How long is mosquito season there? Are they still active that time of year? And...I'd probably want to clear it with my doctor as well. They may have a better answer or better preventative techniques that you could use.

slartybartfast · July 2016

If it were me, I wouldn't go. But this would also be a good question for your midwife or OB too.

ashleygorokhovsky · July 2016

DH is not going so we're safe there. I think it's always mosquito season in Florida (although technically I think breeding ends in September). I have an OB appointment on 8/11 and my doc actually grew up in the same town in FL so I'm looking forward to picking her brain on this one. We should also have updated information from CDC at that point.

sammyl1221 · July 2016

I would definitely consult with your doctor first. The cdc said once they find the mosquito (which I'm assuming is like finding a needle in a MASSIVE hay stack) they would be issuing the same travel resctrictions for pregnant women/ttgp for that area.

penelope4612 · July 2016

They say that they suspect that all 4 cases occurred within a few blocks of each other in Miami, so it's not like there is a massive outbreak right now. With that said, after the Olympics, I am concerned that a lot of people will be returning to the US with Zika and we will have new cases popping up in a lot of places, since August is prime mosquito time. I would definitely discuss with your doctor and perhaps buy a refundable plane ticket in the event that you initially decide to go - in case you change your mind.

gowenc · July 2016

It;s scary stuff, for sure. I live in swampy DC - not as bad as FL because we actually do get winters, but summers here are brutal - regularly in the 90s and above and super humid. Prime mosquito breeding grounds.

I check in with my OB at every appointment about zika and he says every time that, while it's not in DC now, it could pop up at any time. However, he said that the risks associated with contracting zika decrease as your pregnancy progresses, so he is much less concerned about it now as he was in the first trimester. You might check in with your OB about that, but from what he said it seems the really devastating birth defects happen when a woman is infected earlier in her pregnancy.

Knottie61132639 · July 2016

Why risk it? Stay inside, long sleeves and bug spray when you are out. I was in Texas with my family two weeks ago and that was what I did. I don't care if it's confirmed or not- not risking baby!! Best of luck!

zubenescamali · July 2016

England is advising not to travel to Florida. of course, these are the same people who exited the EU.

i'm currently sitting in my home in Florida watching a mosquito fly around my office, wondering if it is carrying Zika and trying to figure out how to kill it...

I certainly wouldn't blame you if you cancelled your baby shower in Florida. as a mom of a daughter who has mild developmental delays, I would give anything to know what caused them, and if I could have prevented them, and I don't see anything wrong with being cautious. That being said, a million things can happen and Zika isn't the only virus that causes microcephaly. it just seems like one we can somewhat control being exposed to.

sammyl1221 · August 2016

So just wanted to update this thread. The cdc now confirms 14 locally transmitted cases of Zika in Miami. They have also issued a travel warning for pregnant woman and woman ttgp for north Miami.

CAN MOSQUITO SEASON BE OVER ALREADY?!?!!!!!

caffeinenut · August 2016

I live in NJ, but I am worried about Zika as well. My fiancé has family outside of Miami, and we have already made the decision not to visit them until after the baby is born. Some of them were up visiting other family members this past week, but I did not go see them as there are mosquitos out now up here in NJ, and I wanted to be extra cautious in case any of them are carriers and the breed of mosquitos here could possibly transmit Zika. I am also worried about all the Americans coming back to the US after the Olympics.

So, I would definitely suggest talking about it at length with your doctor. And ultimately, listen to your gut. If your gut tells you that you are the slightest bit worried about the possibility of contracting Zika, I would advise against going. Sure, some people might be initially upset about you cancelling the shower, but once you explain your reasons I'm sure they will understand and get over it. Safety first. Everything else second.

juliehollz13 · August 2016

I lived in FL up until 3 years ago - Panhandle and Orlando area. Just my $.02 - hurricane season starts around the end of August, and mosquitoes and bugs seem to disappear by then.

WildRumpus · August 2016

I live here. It's definitely scary, but I'm wearing bug spray and not going out around dusk/after. Just take precautions, can't live your whole life in fear!

sourlemon · August 2016

Eek 14 cases now?

LauraH22 · August 2016

I live in Mississippi and we have a beach trip planned in Alabama this week. I talked to my OB about it today. She just said to wear bugspray. As a previous poster said, she also said there is less risk since I'm past the first trimester. She stated that we are probably going to hear about more cases, but did not seem overly concerned about it. I think we all just need to be smart, but not live in fear!

Austenista · August 2016

@LauraH22 I live a bit north in Birmingham so I'm not really excited about all this Zika stuff either. I'm trying to remain rational about it, but also just make a conscious decision to limit my time outdoors. I do like to go walk for exercise over using my treadmill BUT I'm not excited about spraying myself with bugspray either. You have the right of it, though, can't live in fear. However, if Zika mosquitos wanted to, you know, die off inexplicably and not spread any further that would also be very cool with me. I'm a mosquito magnet.

itzliznmoe · August 2016

Hello everyone--just wanted to add a bit to the conversation...my husband and I are in the northeast, but are planning on traveling to central Florida in a few weeks. I spoke with my doctor about it today (felt I should mention it) and was SHOCKED and disappointed when he told us he "cannot endorse that idea" (of traveling there) and that Zika is so new and reports are always changing. In the same breath, he said that he follows CDC recommendations, which, as of today, is only recommending that pregnant women stay out of that tiny affected area in south Florida (not the entire state). My husband and I are more confused than ever. We want to be educated and prudent and make the best decision for our future baby but this is certainly throwing a wrench in our plans!! I should also note that the doc didn't seem quite as educated on the matter as I would have liked so we are considering switching practitioners....has anyone else received similar or different advice?

ALM2016 · August 2016

From what I saw this morning, the recommended "restricted" area is currently a 1 sq mile area north of Miami proper. I don't know if that makes anyone feel better or worse, but that's what the reports said as of this morning.

I live in SE Texas, and the news reports over the last few days have started saying health officials believe a Zika outbreak is "imminent" here. It's frustrating, because I never know how at risk (if at all) I am every time I leave my house. I've been given the standard advice (e.g., clothing that covers you, bug spray, avoid areas where mosquitoes swarm, etc.), but at this point can't really do anything beyond take those measures as best I can and carry on. A.k.a., my employer still expects me to show up for work.

Hope we all stay safe and healthy, especially you ladies in FL right now.

LauraH22 · August 2016

@caseyewhitaker oh I would love for the Zika mosquitoes to die off!! It sounds like you're taking a rational approach by weighing the pros and cons of your actions! I hate that it's just another thing to worry about. And I am definitely a worrier, but am going to file Zika as something that I don't need to be OVERLY concerned about, at least right now. I'm going to channel my OB's calmness about the situation and just take the best precautions I can. But I will not be missing our beach trip that we've been looking forward to for a year, especially since I've never even seen mosquitoes in Gulf Shores. After the beach, I'll return to limiting outdoor exposure. Most of us ladies should be out of the first trimester, so I think we're going to be ok. Cheers to bugspray and air-conditioning!!

askelton27 · August 2016

If it were me - I wouldn't go. I think most people would understand and you could always plan a sip and see party for after baby arrives instead of beforehand. In instances like this, I would rather be safe than sorry.

ashleaf2018 · August 2016

I probably would still go since it's not in the immediately affected area, but if I were your family I would also understand if you cancelled. Yours and baby's health comes first, your family should understand if you feel as though that would be jeopardized.

DumbledoresArmy · August 2016

DH is planning a business trip in Miami for October... so does that mean NO SEX (or safe sex I guess) for 6 months after that trip??? OUCH!

WildRumpus · August 2016

DumbledoresArmy said:

DH is planning a business trip in Miami for October... so does that mean NO SEX (or safe sex I guess) for 6 months after that trip??? OUCH!

Yep. We're busting out the condoms

penelope4612 · August 2016

DumbledoresArmy said:

DH is planning a business trip in Miami for October... so does that mean NO SEX (or safe sex I guess) for 6 months after that trip??? OUCH!

I think probably only until you have the baby.

ShariAllison · August 2016

Zika is locally acquired in Miami... so I wouldn't go. Just wait until baby is born. Better to be safe.

uromys · August 2016

I actually brought this up to my OB yesterday. DH and I planned on doing a family trip to Florida mid September. We were getting ready to book our flight when I decided to wait one more day and ask my OB. He too said he wouldn't endorse the idea of us traveling to Florida. I was secretly hoping there was a safer gestational age in pregnancy that it wouldn't be so bad. He chuckled and said no. Figured that! Ha! Kind of bummed me out since we've been planning on going for a couple months now and just held off of booking to see how this pregnancy was progressing. I think we're going to ere on the side of caution and not go and just see our family in the spring.

Knottie61132639 · August 2016

i have had to cancel a trip to Austin (precaution), FL and Cabo this fall! At first I was really bummed then realized there are other places to travel (not with white sand, bathing suits and fruity virgin drinks obviously). We decided on Cape Cod for a long weekend. We looked at Banff, Big Sky, Jackson Hole, a few other places on the MA/ME coast and Iceland (shockingly cheap to get to). I love bein outdoors so I am looking forward to long walks, good seafood and good relax time without fear of Zika. I hope these location give you other vaca options for a long weekend/vaca/baby moon! Denver is also great this time of year

Austenista · August 2016

We always go to Florida for trips because we're so close. I'd love to venture out and visit some places NE of us. I mentioned it to the husband and he acknowledged I'd been saying that for years. Maybe he and I will take a drive north instead of south this year if we decide to babymoon.

ShariAllison · August 2016

Zika is definitely in Florida - If you are pregnant at any stage, I wouldn't go. Its not worth it. You would be mad at yourself forever just because you wanted to take a trip. Go somewhere up north instead. And after you have the baby you can go to Florida again.

leksiL · August 2016

The entire Eastern Seaboard is awesome this time of year. Fair warning if you are in NE the water is still pretty chilly. Maryland, Delaware and NJ have nice beaches!

1MommyRunner · August 2016

We just left Disney this morning. The outbreak in Miami was found literally the day before we left. I covered myself in bugspray while there and didn't have an issue, praise The Lord. That being said, we were supposed to go back in September for a babymoon and just canceled. Even though we didn't have a mosquito issue this time, there's no telling how far up the state it will spread in a month. It's just not worth the risk.

ashleaf2018 · August 2016

Illinois just announced 40+ confirmed cases and 3 of them in pregnant women.

phoenix870509 · August 2016

I live 4 hours north of Miami. They're doing what they can there to contain it. Trying not to worry too much, but DH is walking the dog at night for the time being.

sammyl1221 · August 2016

@ashleaf2018 it's all travel related correct? I didn't see anything about locally transmitted there.

ashleaf2018 · August 2016

@sammyl1221 The articles I've read about Illinois all mention the situation in Miami but none of them have said one way or the other what the methods of transmission are yet in Illinois. They may not be saying what the methods of transmission are because they may not have ruled everything out yet, although I highly doubt any are from local transmission. They just haven't said one way or the other, to my knowledge.

sammyl1221 · August 2016

@ashleaf2018 I did some investigating. I know NJ is already up to 73 cases but all travel related and the main mosquito hasn't shown up here either.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/news/ct-ecn-kane-zika-illinois-st-0807-20160805-story.html

"Illinois health officials say current state Zika cases are travel associated."

ashleaf2018 · August 2016

@sammyl1221 Thanks for that, I honestly didn't think any would be local transmission. I'm sure the travel-related case numbers are booming just because it's summer and people go on vacations, and I know nobody wants to cancel a beach vacation. I really hope it'll start dying down with school starting, not many families go on vacation while their kids are in school. There'll still be business trips though, I guess.

DiFazette · August 2016

@ashleaf2018 I did read that Illinios has the perfect climate in the summer to support Zika mosquitos so be careful out there. There was an interesting map I saw not too long ago that highlighted the areas with the likeliest spread of the mosquito. I'll try to look for it and post if I find it.

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