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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about going on holiday pregnant to somewhere with the Zika mosquitos but no Zika?

39 replies

Accoooooo · 08/04/2024 10:19

Less AIBU, more AIB-overreacting.

I'm 23 weeks pregnant. I've been quite anxious for a number of reasons.

Due to go to Madeira in a couple of weeks. Didn't even think to check about Zika before I booked it, I've now checked and the WHO said in 2022 that Madeira has the Aedes mosquito that carries Zika and they expect cases there in the future. There haven't actually been any Zika cases reported there so far.

I ALWAYS get bitten if there are mosquitos around. I understand it's a low low risk, I would have to get bitten and the mosquito have Zika and then infect me and then the baby be affected which is quite a chain of things to happen.

But obviously there is a risk and I would never forgive myself if the baby was impacted just for a holiday.

Any wise words of advice? Would you go?

OP posts:
Original poster
Accoooooo · 08/04/2024 10:42

CJ0374 · 08/04/2024 10:31

Have you spoken to a travel clinic for up to date advice? When I was having IVF, I specifically avoided anywhere with the risk. Women obviously life/work in these countries though, but I don't know current risks.

The information online is so woolly.

There is just that one article from WHO saying that they expect at some point Zika will appear in Europe in places with these mosquitos (which to be fair is also places like France, Spain etc)

Then there are the UK government linked advice pages which don't have any mention of Zika risk for Madeira - in contrast to say Mexico where it is flagged as one of the things to consider.

OP posts:
sleepyscientist · 08/04/2024 10:41

I would go you only live once and they have no reported cases. Even in those infected in 2nd trimester <7% have birth defects you could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

NewJobNewMeNewLife · 08/04/2024 10:39

In April/ May time in Madeira you are unlikely to encounter any mosquitoes at all. I would take sensible precautions and crack on. We all assess risk differently though.
I don’t think there’s been any transmission of the virus in Madeira.
if you don’t feel comfortable and it’ll worry your holiday- I would rebook and go somewhere else. Perhaps stick to the UK while you are pregnant.

Original poster
Accoooooo · 08/04/2024 10:36

I feel SO stupid for not checking, but I honestly thought it was South America, Asia, etc etc that were a risk.

OP posts:
Original poster
Accoooooo · 08/04/2024 10:32

There have definitely been no actual cases of Zika there, so I really do think the risk is almost nothing.

Booked everything direct so can't change anything, but being worried about this money is not really a priority obviously if there is a risk.

OP posts:
CJ0374 · 08/04/2024 10:31

Have you spoken to a travel clinic for up to date advice? When I was having IVF, I specifically avoided anywhere with the risk. Women obviously life/work in these countries though, but I don't know current risks.

ConfrontationDoesntHaveToBeScarey · 08/04/2024 10:30

I wouldn't go as I wouldn't enjoy it even if the chance was so slim. It would be on my mind too much for me to relax.

Dery · 08/04/2024 10:28

You’re not overreacting, OP. Best to rearrange or postpone your travel plans until some time after the birth. The risk is likely very low but why take it at all?

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 08/04/2024 10:27

dont chance it

VioletMoonGirl · 08/04/2024 10:26

I wouldn’t chance it myself. Can you see if you can pay a fee to change the destination?

NeedthatFridayfeeling · 08/04/2024 10:25

Sorry OP i wouldn't and didn't risk it. I was booked to go St Lucia when Zika kicked off c7 years ago, there were no cases there at the time but the travel agent let us change destination for a small admin fee and had to pay the holiday price difference.

Sprinkles211 · 08/04/2024 10:23

Yes sorry I also wouldn't go away anywhere that could present a risk to my unborn

Starship21 · 08/04/2024 10:22

Absolutely not worth the risk

MariaLuna · 08/04/2024 10:21

No, I wouldn't take the risk.

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