Warning Guests of Malaria in the DR

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

OK...so as if destination wedding planning was not stressful enough....

 

The Public Health Agency of Canada (the Canadian Federal Government) has strongly suggested that travellers headed to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana and Bavaro) take anti-malaria medications and tablets. Link below or you can google the agency.

 

Reports of malaria: Travel Health Advisory - Travel Health Program, Public Health Agency of Canada

 

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/adv...al_faq-eng.php

 

 

And to top it off, the same alerts are all over the RADIO in Toronto! I just heard this travel advisory/ warning for the DR on the radio and my beloved girlfriend just called me worried. Her doctor suggests she and her children take the medication before travelling to my wedding. Needless to say, she is not impressed.

 

I did a bit of research..on these pills, you should not consume alcohol....at an all-inclusive Caribbean vacation resort...so you can guess how many happy people I will be surrounded by! Some users have also reported sensitivies to the drug and just a general feeling of malaise while on it (which can happen with any medication), but hopefully not while you are trying to enjoy a relaxing holiday!

 

Sometimes you take these pills for 2 weeks prior to your trip and sometimes for 4 weeks after you return. Oh my......

 

We feel we should tell our guests of this and suggest that our guests all talk to their doctors about this to get medical advice.

 

How do you suggest to your guests that they may want to talk to their doctors about anti-malaria medications before going on vacation for your wedding without causing panic and alarm and anger?

 

Already, I can feel the "why didn't you pick another island?" coming.....

 

We just want our guests to be safe...not sorry.

[lscilley]

Don't worry about it there is always a Malaria risk in the DR and I already told my guests to get them before I heard about these warnings. The pills are harmless you take one a week for 2 weeks before, the week you are there and 2 weeks after. All my guests have had no issues with it so far they all feel better to be safe than sorry and the perscription is so cheap like $5. We had no issues with the pills making us feel ill and we did drink while we were there and we had no problems. I would just explain to my guests that no matter where you go in the world that you are at risk for many things so why should Malaria in the DR be any different?

Also it is transmitted by mosqutio bites and I never saw 1 when I was there. The resorts are well taken care of and if you do go where there are lots of them like quadding or something put bug spray on.

[Christinamaria22]

I am sending out a pre-wedding brouchure and I decided to include a section of travel precautions....... if I frantically call everyone and get crazy they will get crazy and since the last malaria post i have dont a lot of research some say take it because you are better safe then sorry some say a good bug spray will be fine if planning on not leaving the resort often and some even said that there can be undesirable side effects that SOME may not get but SOME may (just like any medication)... I have opted not to probably take them and I am asking my daughters doctor who is a firm believer that medications that are not ABSOLUTLEY nessessary not be taken so we will see what she says..... GOOD LUCK and if you dont panic no one else will (learned that from experience)

[*tanga*]

Your guests are travelling internationally so you could provide them with an online destination guide such as Dominican Republic Travel Guide - Dominican Republic Holidays. It is comprehensive and covers the health and other travel informationfor a destination. The site is used by travel agents as well so it is up to date.