Zika Virus - Dominican Republic 8 weeks Pregnant!!!

[Jnic11]

I'm looking for some advice, I'm currently 6 weeks pregnant, and I'm due to travel to Dominican Republic (Punta Cana) in 2 weeks tine.

I'm really confused what I should do, as I've heard about Zika Virus, but can't really find any up to date information from the last year or so..

I plan to be staying in the resort the entire time. not venturing out anywhere..

Should I cancel my trip?
My midwife hasn't really given me any information apart from "it's my choice, and if I go to wear mosquito repellent"... She didn't go through what the current risks are.

I'm just looking for opinions...

Please help!

Have you checked the FCO website which has information on Zika?

I have..

There is a risk, but the last reported case in Dominican Republic was 2017, so they class it as a risk as there has been Zika in that country before.

The following countries had cases in 2022..
The following countries have reported cases in 2022:
Bolivia: 173 cases
Brazil: 29 117 cases (4 deaths)
Colombia: 138 cases
Costa Rica: 45 cases
Guatemala: 1 685 cases
Honduras: 37 cases
Mexico: 12 cases
Nicaragua: 4 caes
Panama: 3 cases
Paraguay: 785 cases
Peru: 20 cases
Puerto Rico: 20 cases
Venezuela: 9 cases

Hi - I went to Dominican Republic when i was 11 weeks pregnant back in December and thought about it A LOT before I went.

i spoke to friends who are doctors and also had an appointment at the travel clinic in london to discuss the risks.

basically they don’t report on it anymore in a lot of countries which is why there is no data, the hospitals here are also not really seeing many Zika cases from travellers bringing it back.

ultimately it is down to your risk tolerance I think so I weighed it up against other things and decided for me it was super low risk (i think maleria is actually more of an issue) and therefore I would go. I didn’t see a single mosquito when I was out there but I did wear deet and I had some anti mosquito bands I put on wrists and ankles. I also saw SO MANY pregnant people.

I actually had extreme sickness at the time so spent most of the trip in bed just looking out at the sea which wasn’t ideal 😂 but still better than the UK

good luck deciding!

I guess if there is a risk it’s up to you. Might be a very small chance. I travelled to Cape Verde a few weeks before I got pregnant and due to that and a few other factors my pregnancy is deemed as high risk. I have to have a growth scan at 28 weeks. If that is normal, the rest of the pregnancy will be treated as it normally would. No other measures put in place. So far all looked good on my 20 week scan re measurements.

Thank you everyone for your replies so far..

Also to add, I did go to Mexico in 2016 when the outbreak first started, and again in 2018... could I already have had Zika virus in the past and now have antibodies? Does it work like that?! (I'm clueless!)

I really appreciate all of your help!

I am well past the age of worrying about zika in pregnancy, however I have family in Punta Cana that have had pregnancies there. As far as I am aware, zika is not the concern it used to be. Also keep in mind most resorts do have a fumigation program for mozzies. I know most of the resorts in the area and there are a couple to avoid. I fly to our retirement in our condo in Punta Cana next Sunday!! It is my fav place in the world. There are a couple of resorts with beautiful mangroves or natural areas, and these are the ones that you will get more bites in.

It’s very low risk - personally I’d go and just cover up/plenty of DEET. I get bad reactions to bites so do all I can to avoid anyway!

Thanks @momager1 I am going to Bahia Principe Luxury Royal Ambar if that helps?

Yeah I was so looking forward to this holiday because of how beautiful the resort looks, we booked it about a year ago!

I hope you have a great time 😊

I just returned in January from my 19th trip to ambar!! It is my fav resort by far!! I am a magnet for mozzies so I would suggest that you request a room closer to the beach/main pool. It has more of a breeze there and you won't get as many bites. The rooms close to the lobby are very close to the mangrove. This is where you will get eaten alive.

if you need any help or tips on ambar I am willing to point you in the right direction including what staff are the best.. what restaurants are the best. Feel free to ask anything

I do really think it’s your choice. Does the hotel have a mosquito net above the bed/can they put one up? Get good repellent and consider wearing long sleeve/trousers in the evening

Thank you.

@momager1 thank you, I'm wondering what the likelihood of having a mosquito net put above my bed would be? I tried emailing the hotel a couple days ago, but I’m yet to receive a response.

The problem is, I’m actually going on this holiday with my parents. So I won’t be able to cancel myself off getting a refund for my place, so it just seems like such a waste of £2000.. with my room sitting empty. Although I know it’s just a holiday/just money in the grand scheme of things and I need to do what’s right for me and my baby. I have a phone call with my gp surgery in the next couple of days to discuss the risks and I suppose I’ll make my decision from there!

Hi @Jnic11 I went to the Maldives in January whilst in really early pregnancy (i'm now 15 weeks) and at the time it had never even occurred to me it was a Zika risk (as had always associated this with South America etc) and it was only after I got loads of mozzie bites there that I googled! Then panicked despite there being no cases in Maldives since about 2017.

Called the NHS GP when I got back and they were supremely unconcerned. Basically I would just take lots of mozzie spray (which I hadn't), you could even buy a mosquito travel net from amazon and take it and apparently key thing is don't wear perfume! and wear trousers and long sleeves in evening as much as you can.

I did actually get a private test done when i got back for peace of mind (which was obviously negative) which you can get from Medichecks Medichecks | Home Blood Testing Kits and Health Checks

If I'd realised about the Zika risk pre honeymoon I still would have gone, I just would have been more prepared!

I would be very hesitant to go but I understand it's difficult to let the money go when it's not refundable.

I wanted to go to Maldives in February but we went Seychelles instead because of Zika and I knew we wanted to start trying for a baby, so it's something I've given a good bit of thought to.

At the end of the day the risk is very small but I wouldn't feel comfortable with it.

If you go ahead with the trip you can get a Zika test done when you come home, just for peace of mind really.

@Jnic11 there is slim to no chance of a net . the set up is that there is a ceiling fan above bed and then a recessed ceiling. I know that they do not have nets ,, but if you took one you would not really have anyway to secure it to ceiling. are you sharing a room with your parents? I would (and usually do) take plug in mozzie plugs.

@momager1 I have my own room, I won't be sharing, and I have bought 2 plug ins to take

are you in a swimout suite? We always get one and they are fabulous. Omg I am drooling thinking of the food at portofino and the amazing cakes at the coffee shop. Unfortunately Jan was prob our last time to ambar , as we are moving to Punta Cana on Sunday, and taking our dogs so won't be able to go even for a weekend :( We have made some amazing friends there. The three girls at the pool are amazing...bianca, desiree and marlene! Nono in the buffet is great in the morning... you cannot miss him CAFE CAFE lol

I wouldn't risk it. You can go on holiday anytime but a baby is lifelong.

@momager1 - no not a swim out, I'm quite pleased I didn't book a swim our actually, as the last holiday I had I stayed in a swim our room and because it was so close to the water it meant mosquitos!!!

You're so lucky to be moving there! I wish you all the luck for your new adventure!

I went to the Dominican Republic at the end of March last year, although it was Santo Domingo, not Punta Cana. I didn't see a single mosquito the whole time I was there.

I think I’m right in saying the Zika mozzies only come out during the day so a net at night wouldn’t really be necessary…(might be worth checking that out!)

@Jnic11 if you go...please tell my loves.. that I told you about them... tell them Lynn says hola and is already living in el cortecito. they know..but it will make them so crazy to serve you. they are my friends. from left to right.. desire. bianca.. marlene

and ..if you want to take them a treat... they LOVE chocolate covered almonds.they ask me to bring them each visit

I know it isn’t the same but I went and got a few bites then ended up pregnant a few weeks later. Baby was fine. Only times I got bitten was when we went on the island trip, never saw any mosquitoes in the resort. Wouldn’t worry too much but I understand that’s easier said than done!