Zika Virus

[deecol]

Well said @@acw271011

 

There is a lot of talk of this virus circling around social media and on the news and I feel like it is causing panic... That's why I wanted to start this post, to inform each other and suggest ways to educate our guests. It's something that is out of our hands unfortunately... We should definitely try to stay informed and help each other.

 

Thanks to @@snswedding2016 for posting some great articles so far!

 

 

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Edited January 31, 2016 by deecol

[samFEB2016]

My wedding is in Cabo in 2 weeks! I just had a pregnant friend cancel, now I have others freaking out. Also no reports in Cabo, or the entire Baja as far as I can tell. Just sucks when everyone starts texting you and freaking out - UGH!

[PhotosInCancun]

The Aedes mosquitoes that transmit Zika virus, as well as dengue and Chikungunya viruses, primarily lay their eggs near human dwellings in small water-containing vessels (discarded tires, buckets, plant pots, garden ponds, etc.). They don't breed in mangroves, although many other species do. I've not seen any reports of confirmed Zika virus in the Yucatan, but it is already present elsewhere in Mexico, and the mosquitoes are present. Diligent use of effective mosquito-bite avoidance measures, including DEET, will minimize your risk of getting dengue, which is the greatest mosquito-borne threat to non-pregnant visitors to the region.

[nadiakat17]

Health professional here. The Zika virus has been blown out of proportion. We aren't even sure if it is the cause of microcephaly yet or if there are other factors at play. Also a lot has been faulty in Brazil ( microcephaly there has broad criteria for diagnosis and some babies just have small heads , also now there is overreporting due to the panic. The govt already looked at 700 ish of the 4000 reported cases and already threw out 300 of them as they were not true cases ) also most of the pregnant women w these babies reported some symptoms early in the pregnancy like rash ( w most viruses the damage is done early on) and the Zika virus only causes symptoms in like 20% of cases. Cytomegalovirus in the US causes about 5000 babies a year to have issues including brain damage and no one is freaking out over that. Plus every resort I've been to in Mexico sprays and I have never been bit there. Very low risk. If anything be worried about dengue fever. Just take proper precautions against mosquitoes if any. Of course pregnant women should do what they feel best , but I'm just saying I think the media is instilling fear and not all the facts and I personally would travel if I was pregnant.

[deecol]

Thank you so much for posting @@nadiakat17! I find myself getting more worried because it's all over the media... Very reassuring to read your post.

 

 

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[nkavanaugh]

@@deecol have you shared any links or info with your guests or are you just kind of remaining hush about it?

 

Has anyone else decided whether to provide information for their guests or let them make the decisions themselves/find their own info?

 

 

[deecol]

@@nkavanaugh I posted a paragraph that @@snswedding2016 posted more towards the beginning of this thread to our wedding Facebook group. Some of the guys turned it into a joke and laughed it off, so I don't think their concern is too high. I wanted to get it out there to our group and address it in case there were any concerns.

One of my girlfriends who is a nurse is continuously posting articles, which I think is causing more panic, I know when I see them I start to worry more. She should be one of the most informed. No one else has addressed it to us and doesn't seem overly concerned.

I assume everyone has been and will continue to research and will need to make their own decision in the end. I plan to continue to be 100% upfront with any information I receive, but at the same time if I'm constantly posting about it in our group I think they'll start to worry more. So basically I won't shy away from the subject but I'm not going to put it in everyones faces constantly.


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Edited February 2, 2016 by deecol

[acw271011]

@nadiakat17  I totally agree with you! I watched something on the news last night about this exact same thing! Brazil is NOT a country with a great healthcare record to begin with, and with it being such a highly catholic country, birth control is not regularly practised so there is a high birth rate as well.

 

But the news report stated that the investigation has begun as regards the microcephaly and that it hasn't yet been determined that all of the "reported" cases have been caused by the Zika virus. I completely agree that the media have really seized hold of this virus reporting and jumped all over it. I know the WHO has issued a statement as well and I know there is some concern about the increase in cases over a short period of time. But for the MAJORITY of people, the virus is of no concern, and there are people that don't even know they've had it! Yes - the biggest concern seems to be for women that are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. But Mexico has only 1 or 2 reported cases and they were in Mexico City, not in the Yucatan or in the are of Cabo. I read that there were 2 cases in Vancouver of people that came home with the virus I believe they had been in the DR but don't quote me on that. I would have to look up the article. But there was someone on tv from the Canadian CDC and he said the breed of mosquitos here cannot support the Zika virus, that it is a breed typical to climates like that in Brazil so there is no concern of the virus being transmitted here by mosquitos.

 

We've been to Mexico about 6 times now and have never once received a mosquito bite. We were in Cuba a number of years ago and took bug spray with us and it never was taken out of the suitcase! We ended up horribly sick from something else, as did about 8 other people on the resort. I would be more concerned going to the DR than I would about going to Mexico, particularly given that the Chikungunya virus also seems to be very prevalent in the DR. They seem to get it all there!! The fact remains that you're going to countries where the level of "protection" isn't what you're used to at home so naturally you should take precautions. If there are recommended vaccines for a specific country, it only makes sense to get the vaccines.

 

I'm going to say again what I said earlier - BE AN INFORMED BRIDE. It's that easy. Obviously your guests are going to make their own decisions in the end, and what is best for them. But if you have someone that seems to be spreading panic, try talking to them and discourage them from making comments that might upset other guests, and back it up with information! Forewarned is forearmed! And again - countries like Mexico that rely heavily on tourism aren't going to risk something like this that could cause a mass panic and bring down the levels of tourism. Mexico has proven that they are becoming very proactive in dealing with situations that they can deal with to keep the tourists coming!

[vancouverpetunia]

Luckily this shouldn't have much impact for our group (media exaggeration aside). We are older (I'm in my early 40s), so most women are either done with kids or aren't planning to have any. I did send an email to only a few women where I don't know their "family situation" - i.e. they could still be trying for kids - I don't know.

 

The one I was most concerned about lives in Australia so I didn't know if these media reports would be getting to her. She replied saying that she is not planning to get pregnant any time soon, so not to worry. I included links to a CBC news article & US CDC info page. I also noted that while I'm not a medical expert, it would seem that only those pregnant or trying to get pregnant really could be impacted. And that I have rarely had a mosquito bite the 5 times I've been in the area, and those few times were when I left the resort to visit ruins or a cenote or something. 

 

Another friend replied saying she was more worried about Montezuma's Revenge. LOL

 

But I feel for the brides who have a younger crowd, where some women may already be pregnant or trying to get pregnant. I don't know how I would be feeling if that was our situation 

Edited February 2, 2016 by vancouverpetunia

[deecol]

http://www.riviera-maya-news.com/state-of-quintana-roo-zika-virus-free/2016.html

 

 

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