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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to not go on holiday due to pregnancy and Zika virus

167 replies

PinkyOfPie · 17/05/2016 08:38

Due to go to Spain on a large family holiday in July for 10 days. I'll be around 4 months pregnant.

According to WHO there have been no Zika virus outbreaks in Europe yet, but according to various sources it is expected in the summer once "mosquito season" starts. Mosquitoes flock to me like a magnet usually, I must have tasty blood, and I'm nervous about going. I would send DH and 3yo DD on their own and stay here, but it would break my heart to do so (what on earth would I actually do for 10 days?!). On the other hand, it's a bit of a risk to take for Bump.

My mum said she'd come up for 10 days and keep me company and have trips away in UK etc, but it's not the same as being with my DH and DD.

AIBU and hysterical to consider staying at home?

OP posts:
BarbarianMum · 17/05/2016 08:50

I think you'd be being extremely cautious to avoid Spain this summer. How about going but investing in a mosquito net for night time, and wearing a long sleeved top, trousers, covered shoes and mosquito repellent in the evenings?

Zaurak · 17/05/2016 08:52

I wouldn't go anywhere where there's a chance of encountering the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. That strain generally doesn't live in Europe so for now the cases found here are acquired abroad.
The worry about Spain is that scientists think that the Aedes albopictus mosquito (tiger mosquito) may be able to carry the virus too. That strain is common in Spain. There were studies in Gabon that showed that the tiger mosquito can carry the disease but they are not sure how that translates into transmitting it in real life.
So for now, the risk is more theoretical than concrete.
However, (and I'm a scientist) risk isn't just about the probability of something happening, it's about the severity of the outcome of it does. I think zika is going to go as global as it possibly can. I personally wouldn't take the risk.
Plan something nice with your mum.

EponasWildDaughter · 17/05/2016 08:54

According to WHO there have been no Zika virus outbreaks in Europe yet, but according to various sources it is expected in the summer once "mosquito season" starts. Mosquitoes flock to me like a magnet

Personally i wouldn't risk it. It's only 10 days, and it's only for this year. For me my baby's health isn't worth risking for a holiday. You've got years and years of holidays ahead of you.

Others may disagree completely - but there it is. This is your decision, no one else can make it for you x

emmalimesmom · 17/05/2016 08:54

i wouldnt go its not worth the risk
is there any chance you could sell the holiday to a non pregnant family and then holiday some where else
not sure you can sell holidays but its just a suggestion

Zaurak · 17/05/2016 08:56

The mosquito that transmits zika bites in the day as does the tiger mosquito

WellErrr · 17/05/2016 08:58

I wouldn't go. You won't enjoy it anyway, you'll just be worrying.

MrsMarsch · 17/05/2016 08:58

Hi, I hope you don't mind me jumping on the thread, but I'm travelling to turkey in June, what's the general consensus? TIA

readingrainbow · 17/05/2016 08:58

Bloody hell. I've just booked a break in Spain and Portugal in July. I'm 7 weeks pregnant. Gah.

magimedi · 17/05/2016 08:59

I don't know anything at all about the risks but if you are going to be very anxious you aren't going to enjoy your holiday much.

And when are you going to get the chance to have 10 days just with your Mum again? If you get on well it could be a really lovely time & something you will always treasure having done.

Birdsgottafly · 17/05/2016 09:07

The Tiger Mosquito is only on the East Coast, though?

All the hotels, heavily populated areas are eliminating nests, the tiger M first fly far from the nest and only the Females bite.

My Consultant, from the Liverpool Tropical School of Medicine/Infectious Diseases (I have Lupus) was over Working and Researching the Zika Virus (and Elboa, he was featured in the papers) I was chatting to him about it.

I'm normally a lot more cautious than posters on here, but I would follow the advice about bright coloured fully covering clothing etc and go.

Zaurak · 17/05/2016 09:20

I am a mozzie magnet too. Ive travelled widely and been bitten in areas where 'there aren't mosquitos.' The little fuckers just love me. I'm pretty sure I've had dengue fever...

It's a small risk, op. But not zero. Entirely your choice.
If you go, cover up, eat a couple of big spoons of marmite daily, use pregnancy safe mozzie repellent (under 10% feet). And also make up a bottle of citronella based repellent and douse clothing etc in that.

Zaurak · 17/05/2016 09:20

Deet! Not feet ....

PaulAnkaTheDog · 17/05/2016 09:22

What are the 'various sources'? I'd be inclined to follow the guidance of the WHO if the sources aren't as reputable as them. It's your own choice though, would you honestly feel comfortable going? Or would you feel permanently stressed out?

Kitty3E · 17/05/2016 09:25

Mossi dont like tea tree oil and if you take brewers yeast 3 weeks before you go they will leave you alone plus no zika in europe. I went to latin america in march when there was an outbreak, was bitten and i am still alive.
If you are worried though dont go

eurochick · 17/05/2016 09:32

Were you pregnant kitty? It's not about being alive. Zika is a mild virus for most people. It's only an issue if pregnant as it appears to affect foetal brain development.

LunaLoveg00d · 17/05/2016 09:39

There have been no cases at all of Zika being contracted in Europe. The Spanish cases to date have all been people who caught Zika in South America then returned home.

Personally, I would go. The risk (if there even is a risk) is miniscule. All the citronella, skin so soft and tea tree stuff is just crap, if you're an insect magnet the only thing which will work is DEET. You can also minimise the risk of getting bitten by covering up where you can with long sleeves and floaty trousers rather than shorts.

Bambooshoots14 · 17/05/2016 09:46

Wouldn't even cross my mind not to go

sepa · 18/05/2016 17:13

I wouldn't risk it personally

sepa · 18/05/2016 17:14

Plus, when else will you get 10 days solid with your mum by yourself again and it can be a good time for your DD to spend time with her dad as usually (not always) it's the mums who spend more time with kiddies so it might be nice for them two also?

nobilityobliges · 18/05/2016 17:21

It's hard to say, but if you have read credible opinions that zika is likely to the part of Spain you're going to this summer then I'd say it's probably too great a risk. Is there a researcher referenced in the paper you read? If so - you could even write to him/her if you can find their email address on their university website.

namechangeparents · 18/05/2016 17:33

Loads of other places you can go.

I went to Scotland when I was pregnant. It was a fantastic holiday.

NannyPlumsRuleofThumb · 18/05/2016 17:38

Doesn't the risk depend on the stage of pregnancy?

scarednoob · 18/05/2016 17:42

Another slight diversion, sorry, but as you said your DD could go, what about young babies/toddlers? Do the scientists think their developing brains could be affected or is it only in utero? I am sure Spain is fine but what about somewhere like the Caribbean or South America?

MissBattleaxe · 18/05/2016 17:55

I may be wrong, but I've heard there are no mosquitos in the Canaries. Could you not change the holiday or is it set in stone?

I'm happy to stand corrected if I'm wrong.

VenusRising · 18/05/2016 18:05

I think you're overreacting pinky.
Of course you want to be safe, but there isn't zika in the eu.
Those who have it in the eh got it elsewhere.

Use a mozzy net, and deterrent if you're worried, but enjoy your sunny hols. with your kids.
Vit D is important for your bones!