Eastern Caribbean Cruise and Zika Virus

[tee11]

Other nasty things the ZIKA virus does:

"Zika, which is mostly spread by bites from infected Aedes species mosquitos, has also been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (a disorder that sees the body’s immune system attack its nervous system), paraylsis, Alzheimer’s disease and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a conditition similar to multiple sclerosis."

It's definitely NOT a benign mild disease.
The research about it is ongoing... Also - don't count on it being only transmitted via sexual contact/fluid- there is suspected transmission via other bodily fluids as well...
From the New England Journal of Medicine, September 28, 2016:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1610613

 

[sarefromoz]

We did the Eastern Caribbean cruise at the end of August and then had another weeks in Florida afterwards and I did not see one mosquito. Back here in Australia, the mozzies love my 7 year old, but he didn't get bitten at all. I wasn't concerned, but we don't have plans for any more kids. Maybe if we did, I would have been a little more precautionary.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Other nasty things the ZIKA virus does:

"Zika, which is mostly spread by bites from infected Aedes species mosquitos, has also been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome (a disorder that sees the body’s immune system attack its nervous system), paraylsis, Alzheimer’s disease and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, a conditition similar to multiple sclerosis."

It's definitely NOT a benign mild disease.
The research about it is ongoing... Also - don't count on it being only transmitted via sexual contact/fluid- there is suspected transmission via other bodily fluids as well...
From the New England Journal of Medicine, September 28, 2016:
http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1610613

Yes, potentially a serious infection. Personally I've known two family members who have gotten Guilliam-Barre syndrome. The 60+ yo ended up in intermediate care for 3weeks, paralyzed to the point of needing to be fed with a tube (couldn't swallow, or walk or raise arms very far), but did not need a respirator. They recovered pretty well (the paralysis eventually goes away) but they were immune-compromised. The early 40's family member is on year 3 of recovery, doing much better. The GB attacked their eyes in particular, although they were only hospitalized for a short time, but long term effects. I saw this family member recently and they were really happy that finally they were feeling much better (three years later). Overall, I personally would not want GB.

 

[tee11]

I'm very sorry, you have two family members who had to go through this! I'm happy for you that they are recovering!
Three years is a long time!

Basically I just posted all this info, because I want people to be aware and remember that there is a lot we don't know yet.
It's definitely a huge concern.

Disney is addressing this as best as they can, in the meantime, with the spray stations at each port of call...
But best to follow this before putting yourself, and your little ones in harm's way!
(If only all would spray like Disney sprays in WDW!)
For us, in the US, we can now say with relief: "Winter is coming!" And we will hopefully know more soon.

 

[apple9117]

good info here...we're planning a Caribbean cruise in 2018 and the zika is a concern for us as well...

 

[xlxo]

I hear Alaska cruises on the Wonder are getting very popular in recent years.... Alaskan mosquitos are Zika free.