WWYD- Curacao in Feb

[Anonymous]

DH and I have been planning to go to a friend's wedding in Curacao for months. Tickets were expensive, but we decided it might be our last chance for a trip with just the two of us for a while (daughter will be 23 weeks and I finally feel comfortable leaving her with family for a couple nights). Of course hearing about the Zika Virus has us wondering if I/we should cancel. I'll be 28 weeks, and initially I thought it would only be dangerous in the 1st trimester, but I can't find anything to support that. Curacao is not currently on the CDC list of places to avoid, but they did receive their first report of the virus a few days ago. What would you do? Cancel the trip? Stay home while DH goes (not my idea of fun)? Go and just wear long sleeves and a thick coating of insect repellent? We actually went to Curacao for our honeymoon and I don't remember any mosquitoes at all...

[Anonymous]

Your daughter will be 23 weeks and you'll be 28 weeks pregnant? Are you a lesbian couple, and your partner carried her, or is she adopted?

Not relevant, but I'm very curious! I have no opinions on the virus, as it seems you've read more than me.

[Anonymous]

Ack! 23 months not weeks! I should go to bed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ack! 23 months not weeks! I should go to bed!

Darn, I was having so much fun speculating! Being snowed in, while pregnant, with a toddler is plenty of reason for a foggy brain.

Sadly, I still have no advice for you.

[Anonymous]

I would go. And bring the big spray. It's most dangerous in first tri

[Anonymous]

*bug spray

[Anonymous]

I would follow CDC guidelines - which are for women in any trimester - and not go.

I am pregnant. How will Zika virus affect me or my unborn baby?

CDC has issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Suriname, and Venezuela.

This alert follows reports in Brazil of microcephaly and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with Zika virus while pregnant. However, additional studies are needed to further characterize this relationship. More studies are planned to learn more about the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

Until more is known, and out of an abundance of caution, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant:

Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.

Because specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are difficult to determine and likely to change over time, CDC will update this travel notice as information becomes available. Check the CDC travel website frequently for the most up-to-date recommendations.

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/question-answers.html

[Anonymous]

6:45 again - I realize Curacao is not on the CDC list and the Zika case there does not seem to be a local transmission, so I get this is more of a grey area case. However, because of my personal history I tend to be extremely cautious with all things pregnancy related and would cancel. It's close enough to areas of concern that I wouldn't risk it. I would try to change the tickets for another location and still try to take a little time away with husband though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would go. And bring the big spray. It's most dangerous in first tri

Where have you seen that info?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't be on a forum asking strangers to make decisions for me. Why take a risk?

[Anonymous]

OP here - I originally posted this under Expectant Parents and I guess it got moved. Not looking for others to "make a decision for me" just curious what other folks in my situation would do.

I wish this could get moved back to the right forum so that I can get more input from people in my current situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I originally posted this under Expectant Parents and I guess it got moved. Not looking for others to "make a decision for me" just curious what other folks in my situation would do.

I wish this could get moved back to the right forum so that I can get more input from people in my current situation.

Expectant moms read the travel forum, too. Have you read the other Zika-related threads? Most seem to be saying not to take the risk. That would be my decision as well.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, OP, but I would not go. The proximity to the other affected countries is too close and the impact on your baby is too significant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I have been planning to go to a friend's wedding in Curacao for months. Tickets were expensive, but we decided it might be our last chance for a trip with just the two of us for a while (daughter will be 23 weeks and I finally feel comfortable leaving her with family for a couple nights). Of course hearing about the Zika Virus has us wondering if I/we should cancel. I'll be 28 weeks, and initially I thought it would only be dangerous in the 1st trimester, but I can't find anything to support that. Curacao is not currently on the CDC list of places to avoid, but they did receive their first report of the virus a few days ago. What would you do? Cancel the trip? Stay home while DH goes (not my idea of fun)? Go and just wear long sleeves and a thick coating of insect repellent? We actually went to Curacao for our honeymoon and I don't remember any mosquitoes at all...

Why would you go? You posted the tickets were expensive. If you're in in 24 hour window-cancell. If not take the hit on a cancellation fee unless the airline gets the zika and pregnant. Dengue, TB. If your friend isn't from Curacao that's a rude place to have the wedding anyway...

[Anonymous]

Zika is also transmitted via unprotected sex so it will be here no matter what. Where's Ellis Island when we need it?