Zika in Spain - risks while pregnant?

[LabLover24]

Travelled to Spain (Ibiza - Balearics) at the end of July for ten days. First night I got bitten quite a few times by mosquitoes… Thought nothing of it until I saw an article about tiger mosquitoes there possibly spreading Zika if it’s in the area.

Now freaking out as I felt unwell (sickness/diarrhoea/generally unwell) when we returned home (approx 3 weeks after being bitten).

I have seen my GP who doesn’t seem concerned and has suggested paying for a test online. Has anybody done this or found a reliable testing service?

I’m losing my mind with worry about this…

Any reassurance??

I live in Spain and 21 weeks pregnant. I get eaten by mosquitoes constantly as they breed in our garden - every summer is a battle. None of my doctors has even mentioned Zika to me. I don’t think it’s a concern here at all.

Mosquitoes here are annoying bastards but they’re not really going to do you any harm.

The Centre for Disease Control webpage has it in the same “green” category as the UK: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information

CDC web site no current outbreaks ,though India had one in 2020

Thank you that’s reassuring to know. I’ve driven myself mad reading articles about tiger mosquitoes and then spreading the virus if other tourists have it from travelling to countries where it’s a risk.

Stop reading sensationalistic press. It's not true. I live in Spain you will be fine ;)

You’re probably very right! I stumbled across one and then fell into a spiral of different articles about tiger moths and the risks…

Hey @LabLover24 were you ok?? I'm currently on the south coast near malaga and just found out about tiger mosquitoes... Also worrying!! I'm 12 weeks pregnant 😧 now worried about the Zika risk too!!!

Hi @Skylark1990 Well I contacted my midwife who spoke to one of the Drs and none of them seemed concerned about the risk with it being Europe. I went to my GP who says they have no access to blood test for it. The midwife mentioned the hospital doing one but it hasn’t happened yet and even then they said it would be sent off and they may not accept it with it not being a country classed as having risk… So I’ve basically had to just try and forget about it as I wasn’t really getting anywhere when I was asking the questions. I contacted a tropical disease clinic who also said they wouldn’t test me due to Spain not being classed as tropical

@LabLover24 just wondering if you have an update on this? Thinking of going to Mallorca whilst TTC and am a bit nervous 😬

My daughter was born healthy on New Years Day. No blood tests were ever carried out and nobody at the maternity unit or my GP really seemed overly concerned. I know lots of pregnant ladies who’ve travelled around Europe and seem to have had no issues around this.

Thank you for your reply and CONGRATULATIONS 😀 I guess there could always be a risk but it’s about weighing up the benefits vs risks