Quote:
Originally Posted by barnakiel
Then this for you means the end of tropical vacations in any foreseeable future. For Dengue, Chikungunya and now Zika are all well established.
Not a joke.
We have been thru Chikungunya back in 2013/14. You do not want to hear our story, but basically we never fully recovered. I also have a friend who nearly died from Dengue.
b.
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I am truly sorry to hear of your plight with mosquito born tropical diseases. You alone understand the
health risks born by these little blood suckeres.
If any good can come from Zika is that it will make many more aware of tropical diseases, the ravages to the body, the often long term painful effects and even death these diseases can cause. Hopefully this heightened awareness will bring about greater precaution by many more people.
What makes Zika different from other, what are called euphemistically, tropical diseases. It is its destructive results and very importantly it's epidemiology.
Stop and think on this. For the first time in its
history. The United States CDC has issued a travel warning and a self policed travel ban for a United States City.
Miami now is the first city within the
USA to be virtually off base for any child bearing aged
women.
What is the CDC going to do when it's acknowledged that Zika is also a serious threat to otherwise healthy males and females. Are we going to see the CDC issue an advisory to stop all travel by everyone to
Miami. Maybe because of the
money that will
lost to the economy they may well not issue such a warning. But logic would say that such a warning shouldn't be far off.
I personally wouldn't stop going to the
Caribbean. I would however not sit around unprotected. Long sleeves and long pants. If the mosquitoes are prevent all day and night I would act accordingly. If they only come out in the late afternoon and night then I would enjoy greater dress freedom in the mornings and lunchtime.
Reasonable precautions for sailing in the
Caribbean and South
Florida:
1. Use protective
clothing for mosquito risk times of day and night
2. Use mosquito repellant constantly
3. Make your
boat a mosquito free haven with mosquito netted enclosed cockpits and all vents and hatches.
4. Instead of sundowner on shore at a bar, invite other boaters and friends to your
boat mosquito safe space for late afternoon sunset drinks.
With insect repellent and effective physical barrier protection I would sail off to the BVI's. I may even sail to South
Florida. San such precautions definitely not.
Anyone remember Audrey Hepburn in the
movie called African Queen. The hat she wore with mosquito netting. Sensible people back then new of the dangers of hot climate diseases. Perhaps we will start to see Audrey Hepburn style hats in St Barts.