TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Chikungunya??

It seems that every year, about this time, we hear about mosquitos and the associated Chikungunya and Dengue. I may have missed it but have not seen any mention of the problem this year. With all the recent rain, does anyone have a feeling for the level of problem this year?

On a positive note, I read in "Cell" (11/6/2015)that researchers have a potential treatment for Chikungunya and Dengue. Just in the first stages of the study but promising.

Been here since the end of September ( heading back to Sonoma today) and have not heard mention of it..got it once myself and it was not fun but, as said, it is not being talked about..suggesting we have had few outbreaks..

I had a crew member catch it in March from mosquitos in Sopers Hole. If the mosquitos are around I would definately take precautions. And after rainy periods
they are usually there.

Got eaten alive while we were down there last month but no sickness other than scratching my legs off <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It's one of those things that is so easy to control, and can really make the difference between a great vacation and a living nightmare.

Dengue and Chikungunya ain't going away. The carriers are there year-round. And it's nasty stuff.

Just spray yourself. With a DEET based spray (at least 15%). Spray yourself when going ashore after sunset, and take some spray with you during the day, just in case.

Spray yourself at night on the boat if you're moored close to shore, or if it's a perfectly still night.

If you're worried about DEET, worry about it when you get home. And have a great vacation.

I used to worry mainly around dusk and dawn, where I'd always wear long pants and shirtsleeve to make attack by marauding mosquitoes somewhat more difficult. Unfortunately the vector for Chikungunya (Aedes aegypti) is also a day feeder, so that preventative measure doesn't work all that well.
While using DEET or other sprays/salves is an alternative for short stays, I'm there 6 months of the year so prefer not to; and fortunately most of the time the winds in the anchorages do a great job at ensuring mosquito-free zones aboard.

Agreed, the chick-v mosquito is a day time menace. For tourists, DEET is the way to go. For locals or long time visitors, tough sitution.

It's not that tough Carol. After all the rain we've had recently, the mossies are out in force. When I go out at night, I wear long pants and spray my feet (cause I usually wear sandals), arms and neck. Then I spray some in my palm and rub it on my face.

I simply can't afford to get sick and be out of commission for a week or more.

At home, I have a bottle of Windex beside me at all times and as soon as I see one of the little nasties in the house, I nail her before she nails me.

Touch wood ... the last time I got sick from a mosquito was in 2001 when I had dengue fever for the 4th God awful time! I have since learned that the day after a rain, cover up and use deet or stay inside and keep the Windex handy. They drop like a stone when hit with Windex. It's very rewarding to watch them drop. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />