Chikungunya Fever

[timem]

I just received an advisory from Princess stating that Chikungunya Fever is currently present on the French side of St. Martin. We are due there in early January on Crown Princess and Princess says it has no plans to skip this port "at this time". The disease is spread by

mosquitos (which usually bite during the day). This notice was on my cruise personalizer. This disease is not pleasant and sounds somewhat like lyme's disease.

[mollyanne]

I just received an advisory from Princess stating that Chikungunya Fever is currently present on the French side of St. Martin. We are due there in early January on Crown Princess and Princess says it has no plans to skip this port "at this time". The disease is spread by

mosquitos (which usually bite during the day). This notice was on my cruise personalizer. This disease is not pleasant and sounds somewhat like lyme's disease.

 

 

I read about this earlier in a week and having just been to St Maarten it was a little creepy. We stayed on the Dutch side and did not get any mosquito bites. I would definitely take some powerful bug spray if headed to the French side.

[beach_fever_4ever]

Wonder if they are on the beach ? Our mosquitos here in Delaware don't go to the beach. Go a block inland and we have them. We had planned to go to Orient Beach. They could be on the bus to the beach. May have to rethink going ashore. I'm probably overthinking this whole thing.

[dcrow72]

see my copy of the CDC advisory on the St Maarten board. Not sure I'd cancel due to it but it sounds a bit creepy. And very real.

[Pam in CA]

The advisory is for the French side, St. Martin. The ship docks in St. Maarten. Until an advisory is issued, you should be OK as long as you stay on the Dutch side. I'd bring lots of insect repellant.

[hansi]

So, as long as the mozzies stick to their part of the island, you'll be ok. Someone needs to tell the mozzies where the border is!;)

[caribill]

So, as long as the mozzies stick to their part of the island, you'll be ok. Someone needs to tell the mozzies where the border is!;)

 

They just have to read the sign that is at the border

 

[bhopal21]

Just use a repellent containing DEET and you should be fine

 

"OFF" does a very good job at repelling mosquitos.

 

Mike:)

[jannrasp]

We just got back from the Christmas week cruise and also got the warning about the mosquitos on the French side. We had booked an excursion to Orient Beach, and we didn't see one mosquito. It was fairly windy at the beach, which is what kept them away, I think. We didn't even take bug spray with us, and we were fine.

[Redtravel]

Mosquitoes are always a problem in St. Martin. Even with deet repellants, I usually get bitten. I have vacationed there most winters for more than 20 years. Not this year. I am cruising. There is a stop in Pburg. Staying on the ship.

[cbell21219]

Lets look at this logacally people.

 

100 confirmed cases. So lets bump that up to 500 cases total, out of a population of 80,000 I would say you chance of catching the disease on a 9 hour trip to the Island is 0.5 / 100 AND THAT IS GENEROUS

 

Considering most mosquito's are more active during dawn/dusk (Non-Cruise hours).

Around Standing water, such as lakes or ponds (Non-Cruise destinations)

 

And also most tourists stay near the Ocean or Gulf meaning VERY breezy and zero standing water = a place Mosquitoes do not like.

 

You should be much more afraid of the FLU which is just as bad if not more LETHAL then Chick.

 

Common Sense is you best weapon folks. Not three kinds of repellant (one will do) and not locking yourself in a interior cabin for the day.

Edited January 3, 2014 by cbell21219

[cbell21219]

I cannot help but laugh at some of the stupid things people say.

 

If you really think that a imaginary line between the Dutch and French side of the Island keeps out infected mosquito I have a brand new Rolex watch to sell you lol.

 

Edited January 3, 2014 by cbell21219

[tinykygal]

😃. No watch for me. LOL