Mosquito problem in Mexico - Malaria?

[klynch]

We're booked for the Tulum Ruins mainland tour. I saw somewhere on the boards someone being very concerned about bug repellant and somewhere else about not being able to donate blood for 3 months due to concerns here about bringing Malaria back from the Mexico mainland. Can anyone comment on the known or rumors regarding this?

Thanks.....

 

[TootyJane]

I traveled through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Belize this past February. I contacted my local health department to inquire about any immunizations I might need. I was told I didn't have to worry about it but should get an updated tetanus shot. You can check out the CDC's website: CDC-Traveler's Heath. My Mom, SIL and dn went to Tulum but did not experience any problems with bugs.

As for donating blood, the following is from the San Diego Blood Bank's website San Diego Blood Bank Donor Requirements:

Travel Restrictions

Malaria Areas (See Mexico below)
- Travel (6 mo. or less) to an area where malaria is prevalent — can donate 1 year after leaving area
- Lived in (more than 6 mo.) an area where malaria is prevalent — can donate 3 years after leaving area
- Traveled to or lived in S. Korea, north of Seoul — can donate 3 years after leaving area
* Mexico, Malaria areas — can donate 1 year after leaving the following areas

- Resorts:
Acapulco (outside of city only)
Cancun (outside of city only)
Huatulco
Ixtapa
Mazatlan (outside of city only)
Playa del Carmen
Zihuatanejo

- States: (rural areas of the following)
Campeche
Chiapas
Guerrero
Michoacán
Nayarit
Oaxaca
Quintana Roo
Sinaloa
Tabasco

HTH

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We got off the Magic on Oct 30. When my husband went in to donate blood they wouldn't take it because he was in Costa Maya. This is not a rumor. I started the thread. He cannot donate for a year. It is NOT the same for all of Mexico. The mosquitos were horrible in Costa Maya. But....the Magic isn't going there now so it should not be a problem.

 

[Liz]

Sandy, I read your earlier thread about Costa Maya with interest because of the malaria problem. I'm curious what you mean about the Magic not going there now?

Thanks for the info!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Liz
Sandy, I read your earlier thread about Costa Maya with interest because of the malaria problem. I'm curious what you mean about the Magic not going there now?

Now that cruise ships can once again call on Grand Cayman (Georgetown, Cayman Islands), the Disney Magic has returned to her published itinerary. Costa Maya was a temporary substitution for Grand Cayman after Hurricane Ivan severely damaged Grand Cayman.

The Magic still calls on Cozumel, Mexico. I was able to donate blood this year even though I had been to Cozumel. Unlike the Yucatan mainland, the island of Cozumel is not designated as a malaria risk area. But the blood center wanted to know if I had stayed in the port and resort area, or if I ventured away from there. If we had taken the Talum excursion, I'm sure I would not be allowed to donate blood for a year.

 

[two-foxes]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Now that cruise ships can once again call on Grand Cayman (Georgetown, Cayman Islands), the Disney Magic has returned to her published itinerary. Costa Maya was a temporary substitution for Grand Cayman after Hurricane Ivan severely damaged Grand Cayman.

Keep in mind, Costa Maya is a set port of call for some, if not all, of the two stops at Castaway Cay special itineraries.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I was reading another thread and someone who was on the 11/04 Western commented the the mosquitos were "horribly bad". Is this a usual problem or could it be from a lot of stamding water from the hurricanes........

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by two-foxes
Keep in mind, Costa Maya is a set port of call for some, if not all, of the two stops at Castaway Cay special itineraries.

Good point. These cruises are in 2006. The ports are Castaway Cay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Castaway Cay again (and two days at sea). The dates are May 27; June 24; July 22; August 19; September 16; October 14; November 11; December 9.

 

[Liz]

Thanks for the info! It's 2006 cruises I was looking at so I guess Costa Maya is still part of the itinerary for those. We've already dealt with West Nile Virus in our family so I don't want to even chance malaria. The Costa Maya stop was enough to make me switch plans to the Eastern itinerary, but those schedules don't fit as well within our time frame. I'm still pondering what to do!

Thanks again!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Liz, glad you got your answer.

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

My dh was also told by the American Red Cross that he won't be able to donate blood for a year after our trip to Costa Maya for the reasons posted above. We're in PA.

 

[NCRedding]

I am usually eaten alive by mosquitos, even if no one else around me is. We toured Chochoben, and I rubbed off sheets on me just before we got there. I didn't get a single bite, and neither did any of my family. We were there just after Hurricane Jeanne.

 

[Lorij]

NCRedding,
What are off sheets? My DD and I are traveling to Mexico in the spring to the Yucatan Peninsula.

 

[NCRedding]

Sorry, they are actually "Cutter All Family Sheets: They come in a small container with an orange lid. They are about the size of baby wipes, and they work very well.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

My dd got bitten so bad at Costa Maya a couple of weeks ago that it looked like her legs were covered with welts. We at first thought it was a reaction to something and then realized after talking to a few we were travelling with that it was a massive amount of mosquito bites.

 

[Lorij]

Thanks NCRedding, we'll make sure and pick up some before we go.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

It was my legs that were covered with welts from the bites. It was not a pretty sight and the welts were bright red....they didn't really itch though. They were there for the rest of the cruise and after, still today I have little red bumps from them....I am afraid they might scar. The people in the Vista Spa were freaked out by them and how red and what huge welts they were.

WEAR BUG SPRAY!!!!