Travel- Zika related

abcola · May 2017

Hi everyone!
I am going to Key West this weekend and I guess I had forgotten about Zika until now. Right now there aren't any outbreaks in the area, but the CDC still says to use caution when traveling to South Florida. I sent a message to my Dr. to see if he had any reservations about the trip, but thought I'd start a discussion here. I'll be bringing tons of bug spray and being hyper-vigilant, but don't feel the need to cancel the trip. I know the only way to reduce my risk to 0 would be to not go, but I don't really see the urgency.
Any South Florida Moms here? Has anyone's doctor told them anything about travel so far?

Thanks!

blueskies17 · May 2017

I asked my OB about going to West Palm Beach to visit the IL's and she said it would probably be ok but it would be a slight risk. My OB is on the super conservative side though- which works for me, because I'm like that when it comes to these things as well. I don't plan on visiting Florida during this pregnancy. If your OB says that it's ok and you're ok with it (+hyper vigilant like you said), it's probably fine.

Edited to add: Note that I'm extra scared of Zika because effing mosquitoes love me.

Tennis11785 · May 2017

I'd probably say you're fine.

I mean, you might be taking a risk. Someone has got to be the first right? But the chances of you being the first is pretty slim, and you said you're being vigilant.

You could also get hit by a car when walking down the street, but you don't stop leaving your house. To me, life has a risk and you can make smart decisions, but you can't avoid all the terrible things in the world or you'd never enjoy life.

JelloBean1 · May 2017

I live in South Florida (near Ft. Lauderdale, but work in Boca). To my knowledge there are no current Zika zones/red zones, although Miami-Dade county is in the "yellow" zone so if you're pregnant they caution you to postpone travel there, but Key West is not part of that zone - I don't think there was ever any local transmission of Zika in Key West. I always used bug spray if I'm going to be outside for an extended period of time because the skeeters love me. I ate dinner on my patio for Mother's Day and it was the one time I forgot to spray myself and got 3 bites on my legs. I use Off Family Care and it works like a charm. I'd just use bug spray a few times a day and you should be fine.

vvitchhazel · May 2017

@acgonzalez22 and @vauxthekate are both in Florida too, I believe. Tagging for their input, since I'm in Wisconsin and have never been anywhere near the ocean.

atack · May 2017

I'm in Maryland and doctor wasn't concerned about mosquitos at all- he said ticks in our area are a bigger concern. I wonder about NC as we travel there this summer - eek!! Makes me worried!!

JelloBean1 · May 2017

blueskies17 said:

I asked my OB about going to West Palm Beach to visit the IL's and she said it would probably be ok but it would be a slight risk. My OB is on the super conservative side though- which works for me, because I'm like that when it comes to these things as well. I don't plan on visiting Florida during this pregnancy. If your OB says that it's ok and you're ok with it (+hyper vigilant like you said), it's probably fine.

Edited to add: Note that I'm extra scared of Zika because effing mosquitoes love me.

That's odd -- not sure why they would say there would be a risk?? According to the Florida Dept of Health: "There are no areas of ongoing, active transmission of Zika by mosquitoes in Florida. All previous Zika zones in the following areas of Miami-Dade County have been lifted after 45 days with no evidence of active transmission and no additional people infected."

Marley629 · May 2017

@vvitchhazel never seen the ocean?!? Oh please come to NJ!! I would love to witness someone's first time seeing the beach and ocean. Super cool!

vvitchhazel · May 2017

@Marley629 It's crazy, right! The closest I've been is Niagara Falls, lol. I'm a sheltered 30 year old! My husband, on the other hand, has been all over (Poland!!) and he's 2.5 years younger than me.

blueskies17 · May 2017

@JelloBean1 she is just the super conservative/safe type. If I showed her the CDC facts she would probably have said it's totally fine. I'm not dying to visit my IL's (I love them but we've already seen them several times this year) so I didn't push it.

acgonzalez22 · May 2017

I just got back from South Florida but live in North FL. I did spray and wear light weight long sleeves even though there are zero active cases. It was raining a lot and the mosquitoes were out in full effect. I'm a very laid back person during pregnancy so I don't worry about a ton of stuff. Zika is the last of my worries but it is smart to be safe and use common sense. I would just use your spray if you will be out at dusk a lot or at night just to be safe but I wouldn't cancel any plans like you said. Have fun!

nz113 · May 2017

I live in South Florida. My OB hasn't even mentioned Zika. To my knowledge, there hasn't been a case of it in a long time. The main concern was a small area in Miami - Dade. I avoid traveling to Miami as much as I can but I think you'll be fine with some bug spray. Of course, erring on the side of caution will never be a bad thing. There's a lot of South Florida pregnant mommies out here and no one seems to be concerned about it.

Amber_Waves · May 2017

@abcola be sure that your partner uses bug spray, too. If he gets infected, he can pass Zika to you through intercourse.

At my recent appointment, my doctor did mention Zika & asked about recent & future travel plans. I'm in Michigan, she was asking about Miami.

CandyApple2012 · May 2017

I live in South Florida and I'm just extremely conscious about wearing bug spray and long sleeves when outside. Hubby and I are using condoms (ew) because even though there hasn't been local transmission in months, it is the rainy season and most scientists predict it'll probably be back again this year. Additionally, because most people don't experience symptoms, I'm just paranoid in general because it's likely under-reported.

Actually Johnson and Johnson's aloe lotion is pretty great at keeping the mosquitos away from me (though not as effective on MH- mosquitos just love him). I'd go, but take precautions. Enjoy Key West, it's such a fun place!

dkizz82 · May 2017

No Zika advice but I was worried about bug spray. Is it safe in pregnancy? I'm so weird about some shit

acgonzalez22 · May 2017

@dkizz82 I don't use DEET products in the 1st tri bec there are some studies that show it crosses the placenta, but I do after 13 weeks. Some research says using DEET containing products is fine. It depends on your comfort level. I use Avon skin so Soft repellent and Badger Balm (organic) antibug. I alternate depending on my surroundings.

AMCsquared · May 2017

@Marley629 @vvitchhazel omg yessss come to nj! i feel like i've somehow made all my pregnancy concerns related to the ocean so you're blowing my mind right now!

@abcola what color is the warning from the CDC right now? yellow? as long as it's not red. (although i personally decided not to go to FL this coming summer but it's all your own level of comfort)

abcola · May 2017

@AMCsquared the Miami-dade county is currently listed as yellow, but we will only be in Miami-dade for about an hour (getting off the plane and into a rental car to head south to Key West).

Thanks to everyone who responded! I got a response from my Dr.'s nurse but it seemed like a very canned response "We don't recommend travel to any areas with Zika in your first Trimester, but if you do travel use precautions" I get that they cant tell me that 'everything will be fine' but I almost feel like this is a copy-paste response, and not taking in account any of the other facts ie. Miami-dade is currently at a Yellow and we are actually spending most of the time in Key West.

DH and I will be slathering on bug replant of all kinds (thanks @Amber_Waves for the partner reminder), trying to avid inhaling anything, and just praying everything will be fine. We don't have any other 'red-zone' travel planned and will keep an eye on the news (We're in North Texas so if it's going to go anywhere besides FL it's Texas)

NME44 · May 2017

@abcola, I also live in N. Texas. I'm basically not going outside this year as there have already been cases around this area. My OB (and my friends OB last summer) said Deet is fine to use if you're outside with mosquitoes.

txmomma16 · May 2017

@NME44 Where in North Texas? I'm north of Dallas and haven't heard anything about any confirmed cases in the area?

NME44 · May 2017

Fort Worth area. I just saw one confirmed case in Dallas when I was googling yesterday.

NME44 · May 2017

@txmomma16, this site. And these are just the confirmed cases. There are surely cases that aren't seen Bc most people don't get symptoms. Clarifying, I don't know if they got Zika in Texas or were traveling in South America, but all it takes is a mosquito biting that person to get an infected mosquito population in Texas. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm

kln62689 · May 2017

Darn Zika. I have a trip scheduled to Jamaica in September that I am delaying canceling, just in case some scientist magically solves the Zika problem. I think the problem is bigger in Jamaica than anywhere domestically. I think I'm going to have to gift it to my husbands aunt and uncle so his parents (my in laws) can still go. We haven't told them they are pregnant so can't exactly solve that yet. Ughhh bugs!

clovelyone · May 2017

Yes, frickin Zika! My SO and I were planning on going to the DR for a friend's wedding and a bunch of other couples are going too. It sucks because I've been wanting to go on a couples trip, but of course my babies are more important. And yes, ladies, if your partner travels to an area with Zika you should not engage in any type of sex (oral, vaginal or anal). I read that on the CDC website. I'm so glad someone mentioned Zika when I brought up the fact that I was ready to purchase tickets! I can't believe I totally forgot about that.

balletnerd · May 2017

I was just in FL for a wedding. My dr just said to avoid Dade County and wear big spray. Amazingly I didn't get a single bite (I'm usually eaten alive) I was good about wearing maxi dresses and sweaters when possible. Or being out on the windy beach. I wouldn't worry too much!

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