chikungunya virus

[mickif3]

We are coming to Negril in two weeks. I've read that Jamaica is getting hit hard with the mosquito borne virus chikungunya. I'm a bit worried. How are the mosquitos in Feb. in Negril?

[captaind & Linston]

I've been to Jamaica in Negril and my place in the hills fives time since the outbreak. Used Cutter's Backwoods diligently and did not get it.

It appears that the outbreak has wound down as the virus has run out of hosts.

Cap

[Accompong]

We are coming to Negril in two weeks. I've read that Jamaica is getting hit hard with the mosquito borne virus chikungunya. I'm a bit worried. How are the mosquitos in Feb. in Negril?

I don't want to play down the seriousness of getting Chick V or dealing with the sometimes sever symptoms but Negril is hardly the epicenter of the problem.

There was a massive cleanup problem of breeding sites (mostly in the Eastern end of Jamaica) and in spot areas around the island. The government, though being accused of not acting quick enough) has undertaken a large scale cleanup project along with many volunteers from around the island. As the sites got cleaned up and people started to protect themselves with sprays, clothing, screening and staying indoors in the evening, the virus has lost much of it's punch. You can only get it if a mosquito bites an infected person and then bites you. By eliminating the breeding sites and people recovering from the disease, fewer instances of transmission occurred.

In some areas, like Alligator Pond, late last year a lot of school children were infected and these stories only fueled the fears of both locals and tourists.

Just do what you normally due to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Nobody likes them so protection would happen with or without Chick V, right?

The mosquitos in February in Negril are just as friendly as they are the rest of the year so if you don't want to "meet" them just take preventive measures like any other time of the year.

Have a great trip. Can't say "Nothing to worry about" but nothing to obsess about either.

Peace and Guidance

[Ras Walleye]

We've been in Negril since Tuesday. On the beach at Tree House. Been around town and up the west end and haven't even seen a mosquito.

[booger]

Been back for a week now, so I must be Chick V free. In 10 days I had one bite, and I got it at Country Country on the beach. I was religious with the deet application and also burned coils when sitting on my porch. I spoke to many people who had it and had recovered and only found one person who currently had it. I asked her about the pain on a scale from 1-10 and she stated it was a 15. So be cautious, but not to the point where you are worrying yourself. Use bug spray day and night, and do not forget to reapply after you exit the water. I used 30% deet and that was sufficient.

[Rob]

The last new case any of us can remember happening in Negril was about 5 weeks ago. Since the contagious stage is limited in time (about 1 week), the mosquito needs to bite a contagious person to spread the virus. It would appear that no one is currently contagious so the virus has stopped spreading in Negril.

But it is still wise to use mosquito spray....

[Kuda]

Thanks for the good info Rob.

[Wisconsin gal]

We were in negril 13 days over Christmas-NY. We sprayed lightly (Deep Woods Off) every time we went out. Spray on top of sunscreen. We were cautious in closing doors as we say on balcony at CFS so as not to get them in the room. Not a bite all week, and we were on beach 50% and cliffs 50%.
On a side note, we leave for Mexico in six weeks, and it seems to be amping up there. Another pedicure will be destroyed by Off!

[Melody]

We were in negril 13 days over Christmas-NY. We sprayed lightly (Deep Woods Off) every time we went out. Spray on top of sunscreen. We were cautious in closing doors as we say on balcony at CFS so as not to get them in the room. Not a bite all week, and we were on beach 50% and cliffs 50%.
On a side note, we leave for Mexico in six weeks, and it seems to be amping up there. Another pedicure will be destroyed by Off!

Get a Shellac pedicure, bug spray didn't do anything to my shellac polish.

[captaind & Linston]

How about epoxy paint?

Cap