Hello, all.
I'm considering going to Ecuador in about a couple of weeks. I'm not easily frightened by the possibility of getting sick there, especially when so far the risk is to pregnant women. (I am male.) No paranoia. I am more concerned, for example, about a surge in infections leading to hysteria about getting bitten by a mosquito to the point people wrap themselves up head-to-toe, quarantines, having to avoid the coast or some other area, or anything that could create chaos, hassles, whatever. Either while there or trying to return to the US. I'd like things as zen as possible.
I can come in two weeks or put the trip off.
Thanks.
michand1
1
jomcarroll
I'm in Ecuador at the moment, and so checked this out a couple of days ago - at which point there were only three confirmed cases in the whole country (I couldn't find out where they are.)
That does not mean they are the only cases, as I think some people get it sub-clinically. And it's likely to get more widespread it time. But it does give you an idea what it's like at the moment
So you're much more likely to get dengue! So come, take the usual precautions against getting bitten, and have a great time.
2
pboae
The number of infections is increasing, but you won't see panic in the streets here. Dengue and chikungaya are already prevalent and life continues as usual.
However, no one can guarantee that there won't be a hysterical response from the USA. If there is an over-reaction, quarantine, etc, it will be there, not here.
3
jomcarroll
Have just checked - two days ago there were 22 confirmed cases, 67 more suspected. So the numbers still very low.
5
azbuceadora
As pboae points out, dengue and chikungunya, as well as malaria and yellow fever, are prevalent and much more debilitating than zika. The mosquitos that carry dengue, zika, and chikungunya are active during the day, so use your usual anti-mosquito practices during the day.
It's really amazing that people are getting so hysterical over zika, when more deadly diseases have been in place for years.
6
ntbundy
I am a 25 year old woman and I went to a travel clinic to get malaria pills etc for my upcoming trip to Ecuador, here's how that went down:
Doc: Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant while in Ecuador?
Me: No.
Doctor: Ok, then you don't need to worry about the Zika virus.
He also said it's not as severe of an illness as some of the ones mentioned here (dengue etc.) you will feel like you have a cold for a weekish and then nada.
Of course there is always a possibility that between now and when we come back the US will have a freak out about it, but being stuck in Ecuador doesn't sound like the worst thing to me... :) You might already be in Ecuador from the sound of your original post, hope it's going well! I go in a week :D
8
azbuceadora
Yow, what a dangerous and irresponsible blog. I noticed they have no citations whatsoever other than a vague "New York Times" article. The truth is that no one knows definitively if Zika is causing microcephaly, and no one knows exactly why there is a sudden spike in cases in Brazil. Brazilian authorities are working on determining what the link could be. Zika has been around--in parts of Africa--long enough for people to establish some immunity, but they don't have that in the Americas.
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