Will The Threat of Zika Affect Your Travel Plans ?

SmithOp said:

Going to South Beach in Oct, this wont change plans but will use deet spray if we go out at sunset.

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Note that the mosquitos that carry some of these diseases are active during the day, not just at dusk.

We won't let the threat prevent us from our annual trip to St Maarten but we do take care to request a unit above the ground level (where mosquitos linger in the landscaping). We also bring repellent for flying bugs to spray the entry door area and balcony etc., in addition to deet for ourselves.

We've gone through the outbreaks of both dengue fever and chickungunya (however it's spelled!) and not had a problem.

Beaglemom3 said:

"Escape from Florida".

Ron, may I ask where you're heading to ?

Asking as I've been looking at properties in Olde Naples, Longboat and Siesta Key as well as a couple others. Not sure. Weighing the pros & cons daily.

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I live in Cape Coral.. The pro is winter and the con is summer... but summers arent so bad.. I either stay inside with the air conditioning or outside by the pool Sometimes after a thunderstorm which cools things down Ill do a sunset cruise on the canal

Im leaving all this to spend some time in San Diego, and in San Francisco. not because of Zika, but to visit the kids and grandkids

home sweet home (note the screen enclosure to protect us from the bugs)

Beaglemom3 said:

Agree, but there are other at-risk populations besides those in the reproductive age groups. So, this is a consideration for "the others", like me, a senior who is getting more senior every day (hopefully).

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Sure, but, you asked about "your plans", and I am not in any at risk groups for anything, nor are my travel cohorts. So, no change of plans due to Zika, even though it could be an issue for mom, who is not travelling with me any time soon.

No - not for us. But, we also travel to areas with dengue and chicka.

Zika does have a somewhat positive impact for us - it appears to be decreasing vacationers in the Caribbean. At least if airplane ticket costs are any indication. If we were looking to have children (way beyond that...) - we would not be traveling to areas with zika.

Why do you think seniors are at risk? I couldn't find anything about that on this website.

Beaglemom3 said:

Agree, but there are other at-risk populations besides those in the reproductive age groups. So, this is a consideration for "the others", like me, a senior who is getting more senior every day (hopefully).

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/

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Laurie said:

Why do you think seniors are at risk? I couldn't find anything about that on this website.

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Seniors immune systems are not what they used to be generally, so increased risk with many things

I'm being cautious about travel to Zika prone areas, including not planning any new Carib travel or SoFLa either. I'm wondering and hoping New Orleans region won't have an outbreak of Zika when all those flood waters reside. Lots of homes are damaged and it will be awhile before standing water in cracks and crevices will dry up there...I read or heard that a bottle cap is enough water for the Zika mosquito to lay eggs in!