Alternative vacation spot now that we're supposed to avoid the Caribbean? Looking for ideas!

[Anonymous]

What's to avoid? Clueless, here.

Here's the other thread that has the news articles. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/525862.page
You may want to check the CDC site for individual countries. So far, it looks like Mexico isn't that bad (isolated cases in Nuevo Leon and Chiapas which are not that touristy). I'm heading to Mexico City soon and am not worried, because it is not mosquito-y because of the higher altitude.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like Miami would totally fit the bill. Amazing hotels and amazing food. I'd just splurge there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Big Island currently has dengue fever.

This. I posted on the zika thread about this. I've got two little ones - not pregnant now, but still visit Expectant Moms from time to time. We've been planning to visit Hawaii this summer, and the Big Island is where we usually go. This year, we are visiting another Hawaiian island, as I can't count on dengue not being around 6 months from now.

Here is the place to go for Hawaii Dept of Health information:

http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/dengue-outbreak-2015/

The count of confirmed cases is updated 5 days a week. Even though the number is "only" in the 200s, the number who have contracted dengue but who have not had it confirmed is most certainly larger. Many people who get dengue get a mild case; however there's no way to predict whether you will get a mild or severe case. I would not want to take the chance with my kids, and if I were pregnant (in other words, immunocompromised), I wouldn't want to take the chance for my baby or my own health.

Also, check out the Island of Hawaii forums on tripadvisor. This is being discussed extensively there.

[Anonymous]

^^ PP again. To clarify, if I were pregnant now, I would feel safe visiting Maui, Oahu, or Kauai. There was a case or two on Oahu, but not locally transmitted. The islands always get a case here or there from people who contracted dengue abroad. It rarely turns into an outbreak.

I would only stay away from the Big Island.

[Anonymous]

Key West. We went at the end of March, and it was warm and a lot of fun. Great restaurants, and we did an amazing kayaking and snorkeling tour (I was 26 weeks).

I didn't think they mosquitos with the virus had made it to Florida yet. I don't remember getting any bites when I was there in 2013. March may not be a month with a lot of mosquitos anyway.

[Anonymous]

I'd do Mexico. We did the Ritz Carlton there in March to feel pampered and avoid spring breakers. I've heard great things about Tulum, south of Cancun, and it would be the ideal baby-moon for me. Think no crowds, beachfront cabins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do Mexico. We did the Ritz Carlton there in March to feel pampered and avoid spring breakers. I've heard great things about Tulum, south of Cancun, and it would be the ideal baby-moon for me. Think no crowds, beachfront cabins.

No. It's in Mexico.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-mexico

[Anonymous]

The linked article says a Hawaiian baby is the first case of brain damage linked to the virus.

[Anonymous]

We just got back from Cayman Islands. Our pediatrician told us it's not there (yet?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The linked article says a Hawaiian baby is the first case of brain damage linked to the virus.

The baby's mom lived in Brazil. She did not contract the Zika virus in Hawaii.