Mosquitos Eastern Caribbean

[cjones2]

My family and I will be heading on a 7 day cruise here in two weeks. We will be stopping at Tortola, St Thomas, and of course Castaway Cay. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with mosquitos in any of these areas? My wife isn't pregnant at the moment but would like to be in the next few months and just concerned about the whole Zika Virus thing.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

My family and I will be heading on a 7 day cruise here in two weeks. We will be stopping at Tortola, St Thomas, and of course Castaway Cay. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with mosquitos in any of these areas? My wife isn't pregnant at the moment but would like to be in the next few months and just concerned about the whole Zika Virus thing.

You're wife should discuss this with her doctor. She should definitely plan on wearing mosquito repellent.

 

[Dug720]

You're wife should discuss this with her doctor. She should definitely plan on wearing mosquito repellent.

As should he! It can be transmitted from an infected partner to a non-infected partner during the activity that results in baby.

 

[Buzzsawelp]

Currently Zika is present in both the US Virgin Islands (St Thomas, St John) and the Bahamas (Castaway Cay). CDC is reporting the outbreak in the US Virgin Islands as wide spread with 175 cases being spread locally. So the risk is real. That being said, take as much precautions as you can. Wear long sleeves and long pants, keep skin from being exposed. Avoid areas where there might be standing, stagnant water. Wear mosquito repellent with the recommended protections.

Know that if you happen to be bit by a mosquito during the trip, get tested before attempting to get pregnant. The virus can stay active for several months inside the host body if infected. If attempting to become pregnant in the next few months is a priority, consider staying onboard during port days.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

As should he! It can be transmitted from an infected partner to a non-infected partner during the activity that results in baby.

True! I definitely should have included him in that.

 

[cjones2]

We will definitely be cautious and wear repellant while there. I was just wondering if anyone has come across mosquitos while visiting those places.

 

[Gigi22]

We will definitely be cautious and wear repellant while there. I was just wondering if anyone has come across mosquitos while visiting those places.

Yes. There are mosquitos on St. Thomas. I was bitten there a couple of years ago. As for Castaway Cay, I would expect there to be mosquitos there, based on an experience on HAL's Half Moon Cay, where there were lots of biting insects. Different island, but same climate, similar conditions, same country...

 

[DLgal]

I have a friend who just came home from a week long vacation in St. Thomas and St. John. She got 15 mosquito bites...she used repellant too. He spent most of her time on the beach and in the water. Mosquitoes are definitely a huge problem in the Caribbean.

Be very careful...

 

[SleepyDeb]

I think the latest advice is to postpone getting pregnant for 6 mos after travel to affected areas. It's possible to have asymptomatic Zika.

 

[cjones2]

Thanks for all the feedback. The last time I was in the Caribbean I was in high school 20 years ago and can't remember much about it. Definitely be packing the bug spray

 

[mmouse37]

We packed bug spray but my husband and I stayed onboard last week in Tortola watching the grandbabies while their parents did an excursion. No one came back with bites thank goodness.

The only place we all went to in St. Thomas was Senor Frogs....had a few margaritas. Again, no bites but we were prepared.

MJ

 

[WDWChloe]

We're on the same sailing!

I'm bringing some OFF bug spray, we're not a planning family any time soon but mosquito bites are annoying as it is. From what I've read elsewhere... they're not a common problem in beach areas, especially in the daytime. Avoid standing water, and staying in the late afternoon.
"See" you in 2 weeks!

 

[Dug720]

We're on the same sailing!

I'm bringing some OFF bug spray, we're not a planning family any time soon but mosquito bites are annoying as it is. From what I've read elsewhere... they're not a common problem in beach areas, especially in the daytime. Avoid standing water, and staying in the late afternoon.
"See" you in 2 weeks!

The mosquitos that carry Zika are anytime biters - day and night.

 

[DLgal]

We're on the same sailing!

I'm bringing some OFF bug spray, we're not a planning family any time soon but mosquito bites are annoying as it is. From what I've read elsewhere... they're not a common problem in beach areas, especially in the daytime. Avoid standing water, and staying in the late afternoon.
"See" you in 2 weeks!

They absolutely are a problem in beach areas and during the day. And the Zika mosquitoes do NOT require standing water to breed, unlike other types of mosquitoes. They lay eggs out of water.

 

[WDWChloe]

The mosquitos that carry Zika are anytime biters - day and night.

They absolutely are a problem in beach areas and during the day. And the Zika mosquitoes do NOT require standing water to breed, unlike other types of mosquitoes. They lay eggs out of water.

I've apparently been given inaccurate information then... thanks!

 

[Shanti]

My family and I will be heading on a 7 day cruise here in two weeks. We will be stopping at Tortola, St Thomas, and of course Castaway Cay. Just wondering if anyone has had any issues with mosquitos in any of these areas? My wife isn't pregnant at the moment but would like to be in the next few months and just concerned about the whole Zika Virus thing.

I recommend cruising elsewhere as you're still growing your family. Zika is actively spreading in the Caribbean.

About 80% of Zika cases are asymptomatic, and an infected man can pass it to his partner several months after being infected. Are the two of you prepared to have an abortion if your wife ends up pregnant and infected, or to spend the rest of your life caring for a severely disabled and deformed child, all because you simply had to cruise the Caribbean at this time? There are other places to go that won't place your family's future at risk.

I know others will downplay the risk, but that risk is completely potent and real. No one believes this kind of thing will happen to them until it actually happens.