Dengue Fever

[Seavoyage]

Hi All:
On the CC home page there is a story about Dengue Fever (mild)outbreak. Does anyone have advice about the best bug spray to use?
Thank you in advance.

[DMorris]

Hi All:
On the CC home page there is a story about Dengue Fever (mild)outbreak. Does anyone have advice about the best bug spray to use?
Thank you in advance.

Get one that has deet (spl?) in it.

[CruiseShelly]

All I know is that last time I went to Ecuador we had the option of a shot for Denque Fever. I have a feeling bug spray with deet won't protect you much in the jungle if it's around. Check with a tropical medicine specialist as to what to do.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In the sporting goods stores they sell products that have DEET in them. That's what we get.

[norcal2]

You can ask your doctor what he or she feels is best. You can also do a google consumer search on best mosquito spray. We never travel without deet spray. "Cutter" or "Off" are two I would look up. They also have sheets that come in small individual packets that I now bring. They look like little hand wipe packets. Those are great for avoiding carrying a can and you can put on new repellent if the spray wears off anytime during a day of excursions.

[iflyrc5]

There are also sprays for your clothes to keep the critters away and it is suppose to last for numerous washings.

[Cruisergal1208]

You can ask your doctor what he or she feels is best. You can also do a google consumer search on best mosquito spray. We never travel without deet spray. "Cutter" or "Off" are two I would look up. They also have sheets that come in small individual packets that I now bring. They look like little hand wipe packets. Those are great for avoiding carrying a can and you can put on new repellent if the spray wears off anytime during a day of excursions.

Beware of the sheets, they will remove nail polish!! learned the hard way.

[RCfanNdallas]

Hey, I read an article that say's there is not a vaccine for this....Repellant is the only way to stay somewhat safe, that and wear longs sleeves and pants...but you really can't do that at the beach....In one article, a respondant said Ultrathon was really good with time release for extended protection. Looks like it as available at all the sporting goods stores.
I am going on Celebrity Solstice on 11/30 so hopefully the local government will have the spraying program in full effect. An article from the island paper said they were meeting on this and were starting a campaign. The local health minister actually came down with the fever and is probably a little more motivated now.

[richnorto]

Beware of the sheets, they will remove nail polish!! learned the hard way.

Aaah! Dual purpose!:rolleyes:

[Sundagger]

The CDC has a good briefing sheet for travelers:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentDengueTropicalSubTropical.aspx

I had Dengue Fever when I lived in Puerto Rico many years ago - I really, really, really don't want to live through that again (but I haven't stop cruising in the Caribbean - I just take precautions).

[mamaofami]

The CDC has a good briefing sheet for travelers:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentDengueTropicalSubTropical.aspx

I had Dengue Fever when I lived in Puerto Rico many years ago - I really, really, really don't want to live through that again (but I haven't stop cruising in the Caribbean - I just take precautions).

Thank you for that link. Looks like you have to apply sunscreen first and then bug spray when at the beach.

[cccole]

You might try buggspray.com. We have used their products in Central America, Africa, French Polynesia, and in the U.S.A. They have a spray for clothing also. I don't know if their products meet your needs but we have been really happy with them. Cherie

[norcal2]

Beware of the sheets, they will remove nail polish!! learned the hard way.

I didn't know that thanks. I don't wear nail polish unless I go out in the evening and on a ship we're usually back by then but that tip will be helpful for my evening outings on land trips.

[ncmomof2]

I had Dengue Fever when I lived in Puerto Rico many years ago - I really, really, really don't want to live through that again (but I haven't stop cruising in the Caribbean - I just take precautions).

I'm pretty sure that Dengue is one you're immune to once you've had it (like measles, etc.). In more technical terms, it's caused by a small enough family of viruses with a slow enough mutation rate that your immune system recognizes all of them after being exposed once.

[Mary Ellen]

I'm pretty sure that Dengue is one you're immune to once you've had it (like measles, etc.). In more technical terms, it's caused by a small enough family of viruses with a slow enough mutation rate that your immune system recognizes all of them after being exposed once.From CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue/): Dengue (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are caused by one of four closely related, but antigenically distinct, virus serotypes (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3, and DEN-4), of the genus Flavivirus. Infection with one of these serotypes provides immunity to only that serotype for life, so persons living in a dengue-endemic area can have more than one dengue infection during their lifetime.FIL got Dengue Fever while stationed in Shanghai, as someone mentioned he does NOT want to get it again. :eek:

[twinkletoes4445]

Beware of the sheets, they will remove nail polish!! learned the hard way.

Thanks for this information! :)

[sail7seas]

As someone with heart issues, it wouldn't be pretty if I were to contract dengue. :eek: No day at the beach for us in St. Maarten.....

Guess I'll have to stick with stores and shopping. Dern it all. :D DH will be thrilled, I'm sure. :)

[Sprocket]

The CDC has a good briefing sheet for travelers:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentDengueTropicalSubTropical.aspx

I had Dengue Fever when I lived in Puerto Rico many years ago - I really, really, really don't want to live through that again (but I haven't stop cruising in the Caribbean - I just take precautions).


Thankyou for posting that link, I did not realize I was at higher risk of contracting DHF, I thought like the West Nile I would be immune. NOT so apparently. For those that will be cruising to St Martin I suggest that they read the entire article, as some of the comments posted here although well intentioned may be misleading.

Especially enlightening are the at risk areas, they are not only the beaches...........

[Juanita462]

Sawyer controlled release Deet formula - it is a special formula that
sits on your skin and is not absorbed into the system.
Deet is not good for you - I can taste it on my tongue when it is
absorbed but not with the Sawyer product.

There is a reason why they call Dengue fever "break-bone fever"
as those who have had it will tell you.

[Hoyaheel]

The reason a vaccine for Dengue is so difficult to develop is that it must be effective for all 4 serotypes of the virus--because of the higher risk of DHF once you've been exposed to any single serotype.

We had a seminar on dengue last night--really interesting to see what molecular biologists are working with, even if I didn't understand half of what they said:o

Our international health clinic also told us that the DEET lowers the SPF of your sunscreen, so use a higher number than you normally would.

[mamaofami]

So, what prevents these little bugs from hanging out in ports, flying around the ship, the outdoor pool, the decks, etc.?:confused:

[Hoyaheel]

Nothing, really. And you might find mosquitos on your ship. But mosquitos breed in stagnant water and I didn't see any good breeding grounds on my last cruise (pool water isn't appropriate--things like rain barrels & bird baths and other somewhat shallow water containers are more where you would find them)

[sail7seas]

Are any of these islands spraying to control mosquito populations?

[Hoyaheel]

Widespread spraying of insecticide is problematic--can kill beneficial insects, skeeters can develop resistance to the insecticides...

Trying to eliminate standing water (water collection, garbage, etc) by educating a community is more effective in the long run. Use of screens isn't as effective on dengue as it is in malaria because the a. aegypti bites in the afternoon/early evening, not overnight.
http://news.bn.gs/article.php?story=2007092923232592
Some specific resort areas probably spray their grounds, but of course--if the resort next door isn't spraying, you haven't done much.
http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=24747

FYI, this the same mosquito that spreads Dengue is also the vector for yellow fever. But of course there's a vaccine for that....

PS The original question here was about bug spray--we used Ultrathon--in the lotion/gel, which I like better than sprays, especially for travel. I never had mosquito bites on our Panama Canal cruise at the beginning of the month, though at home--I get them all the time because I hate to use bug spray, we have a large pond:rolleyes: , and skeeters love me;)

[retiredldo]

Here is what the article states about DEET : Use insect repellent on uncovered skin surfaces when outdoors, especially during the day. When using sunscreen, apply it before insect repellent.
Repellents containing 30% to 50% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) are recommended for adults and children over 2 months of age and effective for several hours. Repellents with lower amounts of DEET offer shorter-term protection and must be applied more often.
I had to get some heavy duty deet when deployed with the red cross to LA