Trip Report [was Chikungunya virus (in Mexico)]

[John T Smith]

Trip Report http://www.direct2usales.com/V2025.HTM

Wife and I saw a news report on TV about a virus outbreak in China... with the 'connotation' that it was a NEW virus spread by mosquitoes... I searched, it is NOT new... it goes back to at least 2014, probably longer
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It is a mosquito-borne illness called chikungunya virus... I am going on a cruise to Mexico later this year so I did a search
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Per Google - Chikungunya virus is present in Mexico and is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti. The virus causes chikungunya fever, which is characterized by fever, joint pain, and other symptoms. While the virus has been circulating in Mexico since 2014, with outbreaks occurring in southern and central regions, it is considered a moderate risk overall
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But... to be safer when my cruise stops at Cabo San Lucas I will buy repellent
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The TSA rule is liquids/gels must be 3.4 ounces or less and everything must fit in ONE quart size zip lock bag... this is ALL liquids/gels including toothpaste
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I found a 2.5oz size https://www.amazon.com/OFF-Insect-Repellent-Non-Greasy-Formula/dp/B00DIXJT1W
Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 1.69 x 1.57 inches - 5.2" will fit inside a Quart zip

[daniellei4510]

SPAM

[kglad]

not a new virus.

[John T Smith]

ADDED

(and this is not spam... it is my information after doing a search)

(and I said it is not a new virus, just that the TV news report made it SEEM new)

Cabo San Lucas is at the southern tip of a peninsula, next to the ocean… I do not know if there are any ‘swampy’ areas near the city where mosquitoes could grow, but I do know that when we went there in 2018 to visit wife’s nephew who was then living in Mexico we were not bit by anything… so it MAY be that there are no mosquitoes in that area
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Oh well… $4 to have spray with me to use on my way off the cruise ship is cheap insurance

[daniellei4510]

My bad. I didn't look closely enough at the Forum header. Apologies! It's what happens when I start reading forum emails too early in the morning.

[John T Smith]

Not a problem... spam is a recurring problem in all of the forums

I didn't look to see where else that virus may have spread, but I'm sure that international travel means it is everywhere a mosquito could have bitten an infected traveler 

[Nancy OShea]

You can buy what you need in the ship's tariff-free store or when you dock in Cabo— probably much cheaper, too. 

DEET (the active ingredient in most bug repellents) is an irritant to some people. I prefer to avoid skin contact if possible and never apply directly to the face. 

https://archive.is/20240903203059/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/well/deet-bug-spray.html

Lyme disease carrying tics are a bigger worry here. A light spray of DEET on shoes, socks & clothes before venturing out keeps them away. 

Mosquitos are drawn to body heat and carbon dioxide. Wear light-colored long sleeves & pants. Consider attaching some fine mesh to hats. Carry a small vial of peppermint or citronella oil in your first aid kit. A little oil can repel insects for 30 minutes. 

[John T Smith]

Trip Report http://www.direct2usales.com/V2025.HTM

[Chuck Uebele]

Use repellent that have DEET on your clothes and repellent like Proven that have Picaridin on your skin. I've got a friend that has MS and has to be careful on what she can use. She recommended proven. It works great. I've used it when I go out photographing in the woods, here in the North Carolina. I've walked through swarms of mosquitoes and the keep off. Eating garlic also helps. I chop up a clove every day and wash it down with water. Then I have an apple, which help kill the garlic odor - my wife hates it when I eat garlic, and this has helped. Of course, if your type O blood, you have problems: that's a mosquitoe magnet.

[Nancy OShea]

Of course, if your type O blood, you have problems: that's a mosquitoe magnet.

By @Chuck Uebele

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That's a myth.  My husband has O neg blood and never gets bitten.  OTOH, I am B pos and get eaten alive, garlic and B vitamins are no help whatsoever.  

[kglad]

blood types and mosquito preference isn't a myth.

[Nancy OShea]

There's no conclusive evidence to support they prefer one type over another. Mosquitos eat whatever blood is available at the time (human or animal).

One lab study in Asia suggests that female mosquitos who were fed exclusive diets of type B blood produced more eggs with higher fertility rates. But that paper was later corrected & then retracted. So who knows?  

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8692623/

[kglad]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-mosquitoes-bite-some-people-more-than-others-yo...

[Chuck Uebele]

I thought I've seen several things on blood type being a factor. My daughter is type O and has a big issue. I'm type A and don't nearly have the problem that she does.

[kglad]

anecdotes aren't evidence.

[Chuck Uebele]

anecdotes aren't evidence.

By @kglad

That is correct

[John T Smith]

I did not see a single mosquito - Trip Report http://www.direct2usales.com/V2025.HTM