dengue fever

[andrewc52002]

I've just read about an epidemic DF in North of DR. How do the expats view DF and deal with it ? Is it a major/scary concern ? There were 50 deaths last year in DR from DF.
Thank you.

[2LeftFeet]

I am not an ex-pat but I was there in January. I think I contracted it. I'm not sure. I was treated for it. It was hell.

There isn't much you can do for it. They are attempting to make a vaccine for it.

It's mosquito borne. You have to get rid of the mosquitos. It's usually more of a urban disease than a country disease--unlike malaria but tell that to the mosquito.

Mosquitos will go where the mosquito will go!

It's a concern but ... you probably have more of a chance of getting hit by a car than malaria or dengue..... but somebody has to get it!!!

If you have luck like me... wear lots of repellant. I didn't.

[NALs]

Why don't the moderators make a Dengue Fever sticky?

Every time there is an upsurge in Dengue Fever, new threads are created and usually the same questions and answers are given over and over again.

-NALs

[andrewc52002]

Originally Posted by NALs

Why don't the moderators make a Dengue Fever sticky?

Every time there is an upsurge in Dengue Fever, new threads are created and usually the same questions and answers are given over and over again.

-NALs

I wanted to know how the expats deal with this problem. Do they decide to leave the country, do they move to other provinces, do they lock themselves inside (lol) ? Do they learn from the locals ?
We don't have it in Canada and I'm curious to see how it affects expats' lives in DR.
Thank you.

[Tuan]

I've had dengue 3 times in 27 years in the Caribbean, each time in Puerto Rico, never here. If you're in a populated area use a mosquitero (net over the bed). Wear light weight long trousers and long sleeves while out in the late afternoon into evening. Use repellent on face, hands, ankles and neck. It's like Global Warming. 99% yammering, 1% reality.

[PabloPaul]

Originally Posted by Tuan

I've had dengue 3 times in 27 years in the Caribbean, each time in Puerto Rico, never here. If you're in a populated area use a mosquitero (net over the bed). Wear light weight long trousers and long sleeves while out in the late afternoon into evening. Use repellent on face, hands, ankles and neck. It's like Global Warming. 99% yammering, 1% reality.

haha
ha
Not to hi-jack but you think globalwarming is 1% reality?
You are only kidding yourself there, buddy!
Let's put it in simple terms.
If you systematically cover the earth (housing) and heat that space. Build a zillion cars, heat that space, start the motor....heating the air.
How can you then tell me all this is NOT heating the earth.
Fact.
Cities retain heat.
Fact.
All cities are consistently warmer than surrounding countryside.
Look on the weather network ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
Maybe you're in the oil business?
Maybe you're just blind.
Maybe you see but aren't looking.
I suggest you do some more research before you make ridiculous statements like that. What we need is action, not ignorance.

[NALs]

Originally Posted by andrewc52002

I wanted to know how the expats deal with this problem. Do they decide to leave the country, do they move to other provinces, do they lock themselves inside (lol) ? Do they learn from the locals ?
We don't have it in Canada and I'm curious to see how it affects expats' lives in DR.
Thank you.

They deal with this in a similar way Americans and Canadians deal with the West Nile Virus during the warmer months.

You know that virus with no cure or treatment that mosquitos spread all over North America, but doesn't exist in Dom Rep?

The same way people in places infected with WNV protect themselves is more or less the way people in places with Dengue protect themselves. They are both spread by mosquitos and there are a few ways people can lower the risk of being bitten by one.

-NALs

[NALs]

They deal with this in a similar way Americans and Canadians deal with the West Nile Virus during the warmer months in North America.

You know that virus with no cure or treatment that mosquitos spread all over North America, but doesn't exist in Dom Rep?

The same way people in places infected with WNV protect themselves is more or less the way people in places with Dengue protect themselves. They are both spread by mosquitos and there are a few ways people can lower the risk of being bitten by one.

-NALs

[andrewc52002]

Thank you, NALs.

[planner]

I'd like to know where you got the word "epidemic" at this time? I live here and yes I am an ex pat. I know of one person who has got it. But that is all. Did I miss something? OR is this not a serious problem?

I am not suggesting it isn't serious when you get it. My question: what are the numbers, % etc compared to other years? Anyone know?