Pregnant worried about Zika - advice?

[*Pixiedust1438*]

This is a map of states with reported Zika infection(s). If you're willing to stay out of FL, make sure you stay away from all of these states, too.

I live in New York State and I am aware that there are travel related cases here as well. The major difference however is that the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the mosquito that is spreading the Zika virus, is prevelant in Florida and non existant in New York State.

 

[BayouQueen]

I don't know what your itinerary is, but if if were me, I'd go, but I would not do too much roaming around at night, when the mosquitos typically feed. (They can feed during the day, but it's more unusual.) I know the parks are great at night, but I'd have a dinner and just spend more time indoors. That's not a huge sacrifice for the coming little one. There was a time when people did stay in screened areas in tropical places at night. We take a lot for granted nowadays. (It would make me nervous using a lot of DEET when pregnant.)

Whatever you decide, best to you!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I don't know what your itinerary is, but if if were me, I'd go, but I would not do too much roaming around at night, when the mosquitos typically feed. (They can feed during the day, but it's more unusual.) I know the parks are great at night, but I'd have a dinner and just spend more time indoors. That's not a huge sacrifice for the coming little one. There was a time when people did stay in screened areas in tropical places at night. We take a lot for granted nowadays. (It would make me nervous using a lot of DEET when pregnant.)

Whatever you decide, best to you!

I don't think the OP should be overly concerned as there are no cases in Florida currently of the virus being transmitted locally outside of some cases related to sexual transmission involving someone who had been infected with the virus when they traveled outside of the mainland US. But I would point out that the mosquito responsible for transmitting the virus is one that is active during the day so avoiding roaming around at night would not impact the chances of getting the virus.

 

[apple9117]

watching this thread!

 

[Shanti]

I have never been bit by a mosquito in Disney. But if I were in your shoes, I would take added precaution of repellent. Better safe than sorry.

I would definitely not put DEET on my body in my first trimester. The developing baby is at its most vulnerable to birth defects at that point, and DEET is a toxic chemical. I wouldn't play Russian roulette with the Zika virus, either. Why not postpone Disney until you can bring the baby? You won't be able to ride the rollercoasters while you're expecting, anyway.

 

[MamaLema]

I can only speak for myself. I wouldn't risk it. If my baby was born with defects from the Zika virus, I would never forgive myself for going on vacation. The women who live in countries where Zika virus is widespread, I feel terribly for them. They don't have choice.

 

[BayouQueen]

I think the folks who are saying "Stay home" really are right. I mean, we're all tossing out advice here based on the reported Zika incidence right now. But that can change any day, and I'd hate for some other person to read this thread in a few weeks, or whenever things change, and have it sound like, "Oh, yeah, go. I've never had a bite at WDW."

You only get one chance to grow your baby. And why put yourself through the worry?

 

[Lirael]

-Avoid walking around with much of your body exposed. As in, try to wear trousers and long sleeved shirts
-They breed in places water collects without moving. Like, leftover water in jars, cups. tires and anywhere else, so avoid staying near anything like that, and dispose of any you see, or throw sand at it.
-Use mosquito repellent. If you're worried for the child, consult a doctor about which is best for the baby, but use one.
-Unlike Elsa, the carrier doesnt like the cold, so try to stick to air conditioned places and such
-Unconfirmed thing being said: light colored clothes attract them less. Maybe

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Until the virus is spreading locally in the United States, there is nothing to worry about. If I were pregnant and were considering a summer trip, I probably would have more of a "wait and see attitude" bc we don't know what summer will bring. But at this point, for travel right now to Disney, there is no more cause for concern than there is traveling to any other US state. My trip is in late March/early April, and I am trying to conceive.
Unless a locally acquired case of Zika is found in FL, I will keep my plans to visit family in south Florida and spend a few days in the Disney parks. I have a super conservative and play-it-uber-safe attitude when it comes to my pregnancies, but I also see no need to unnecessarily panic. Now, that being said, if I am pregnant this summer and Zika is spreading within the United States, I will probably lock my family indoors all summer But right now? No worries.

 

[auralia]

My son is highly illergic to mosquitos... He gets giant welts from a bite that look like an orange peal and weep pus.... If he gets bit by his eye it will swell 100% shut. And the mosquitos love him... (They won't even touch me). That said in 4 trips to Disney at various times of the year he has never been bitten there. We do always use bug spray though to be safe 15-20% and reapply when ever we are at the room. He also has special mosquito repelant clothing you can google it and buy yourself and over shirt and hat if it would make you feel better. It is treated with a chemical that is safe for humans but deadly to mosquitos. My parents live in Minnesota and the clothing is a god send there.

 

[akadada]

I think this is an absolutely horrible place for you to be asking about Zika. Unless these folks are pathologists and/or doctors, they would not in the slightest be qualified to help you.

The only thing I can tell you is that we were just there and I got bit by mosquitoes a few times during the week. I have no idea if those bugs carried a disease.

Also, certain bug sprays can't or shouldn't be worn while pregnant.

Respectfully, please call your doctor, or OBG, and if needed, ask them to refer you to a pathologist and simply ignore everyone's advice here unless they're actually credentialed and qualified to help you.

 

[ArwenMarie]

"Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant and nursing women and children older than 2 months when used according to the product label." --CDC

 

[akadada]

"Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant and nursing women and children older than 2 months when used according to the product label." --CDC

Per LiveScience: There is general consensus that we don't know much about the long-term effects of DEET, Barr acknowledged. And there are limited studies looking specifically at pregnant women. But when facing the possibility of microcephaly, women would risk far more by not using the repellant than by using it.

Thus why I said certain bug sprays can't or shouldn't be worn while pregnant. LEmon and Eucalyptis works as well and doesn't come with DEET.

More importantly, thank you for proving my point: this board is clearly not qualified and in fact dangerous in giving this woman advice in traveling if she's concerned about Zika.

 

[MolonLabe]

Boiler plate: consult your doctor first.

That said, Zika has been around for decades (at least) and up until the past year hasn't been causing any birth defects... now all of sudden it's a huge concern in other countries. IMO something else is at work here, some other as yet unidentified toxin or issue that is being conveniently scapegoated unto Zika.

Every single year for a while now it's something... Ebola, bird flu, yearly flu, measles lol. Yeah how many people freaked about that one... the pandemic is at hand! Oh-noes.

This wouldn't even be on my radar right now. Plenty of other things to concern yourself with if you feel like worrying. If packing yourself in with a bunch of people like sardines doesn't bother you. Zika in Florida certainly shouldn't.

 

[Dug720]

This response was extremely helpful, thank you. And I do need to stop researching because I have been obsessing and get back to being excited about this pregnancy and trip.

Yes, this is a case where so much is uncertain about it. As has been pointed out, the virus has been around for a while but it is only recently in concentrated areas where as it happens a chemical used nowhere else to treat for mosquitos was used... Obviously research into this is in very early days, but TO ME based on that information I am more inclined to go with that chemical pesticide as the primary cause. BUT NO ONE KNOWS.

If it is stressing you out that much (which is also harmful to the developing fetus), I would give you the advice I wish I could give the dad of one of the kids I teach (1st and 2nd grade kids with autism - so for this dad a different topic but I wish I could say this to him)... STEP AWAY FROM THE GOOGLE. Talk with your doctor, sure (though again, nothing is known for sure). But for the love of all that is holy, STEP AWAY FROM THE GOOGLE.

 

[Berlioz70]

Another pregnant woman here that lives in Florida. And not only do I live in the state, I work for the mouse and am at the parks every day! We specifically asked our doctor during our visit 2 weeks ago, and she stated that at this time there is no emergency in the US because all of the cases were started from outside the country.

 

[Shanti]

The only cases throughout the US have been related to people traveling to Brazil/Latin America and returning to the US, having contracted it over there.

There actually actually has been a case contracted in Texas. It was sexually transmitted though, so of no direct concern to the OP.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/03/health/zika-sex-transmission-texas.html?_r=0

 

[Dismama2boys]

"Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for pregnant and nursing women and children older than 2 months when used according to the product label." --CDC

Yeeeaaaah...... I just don't trust the CDC enough to buy that. Or many other things they deem "safe".

 

[Gracie09]

I'm sorry but seriously? There are so many things that could potentially cause harm to a baby that if you avoided them all at all times you would end up wrapped in bubble wrap locked in your bedroom. Get some skin so soft if you want to avoid deet and go.

 

[pmaurer74]

avoid being on balconies after dark. The only time I have ever been bitten at WDW was on the balconies at the resorts.