Important Notice Re: Malaria - Please Read.

[FireGuy]

As of November 24, 2004 the CDC recommends Malaria Prophylaxis for travel to all areas in La Altagracia province, including the Punta Cana area, and also to all areas of Duarte province in the Dominican Republic.

A small number of cases have been reported and this is precautionary in nature.

See:
www.cdc.gov/travel/other/malaria_dr_2004.htm

There is a current discussion thread on the subject at Debbie's Dominican Travel Forums.

See:
http://debsdrtravels.proboards35.com...num=1101760270

F.Y.I.

Gregg

[ricktoronto]

Too bad the CDC didn't say if it was chloroquine resistant or not since you have to take the right drugs to prevent the particular strain. Note the Altagracia province means Punta Cana. This can't be good news for that area.

[David Dempsey]

Malaria in the Caribbean is not chloroquine-resistant, not in Haiti and not in the Monte Cristi area where the few Dominican cases usually take place.

[Dolores]

The best prevention is to avoid getting bitten. Thus using insect repellent containing DEET.

With over 1.3 million tourists traveling to Punta Cana and only two reported cases, the chances of getting bitten are slim. You can make them even smaller by using insect repellent.

In the Dominican Republic physicians will only very rarely recommend a residents to take chloroquine. I have never heard of such a recommendation.

See http://www.dr1.com/news/2004/120304_malaria.shtml

[FireGuy]

on Debbie's Dominican Travel Forums where Hlywud and I are the Moderators and on TripAdvisor.

In case anyone thinks this is not serious, economically, vacationing tourists are switching vacations from Punta Cana to Cuba and the Mayan Riviera area of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. This will cost the DR money if it is ignored. Even more potentially damaging is the possible effect on the reputation of the DR as a tourist destination. The DR had better do whatever it can to cut down on the potential hysteria.

The last I heard on this evolving story is that they were up to 13+ cases and some had not left the resorts during their stays. They were distributed from what is referred to as Punta Cana to Bavaro.

Gregg

[AnnaC]

Any suggestions before going down? Gets shots, see doctor? Can the tablets be bought over the counter?

[ricktoronto]

Originally Posted by Anna Coniglio

Any suggestions before going down? Gets shots, see doctor?

To prevent it, you take 500 Mg. Chloroquine a week before you go, then the day you arrive then weekly on the same day , and for four weeks after you leave. So for a week long vacation, you get 6 doses, take one say Saturday before you go, on the Saturday you arrive, the Saturday you leave and then 3 more Saturdays. It is dirt cheap.

Also use DEET and other mosquito prevention measures.

I take it when I go to Nicaragua.

[AnnaC]

Thanks Rick. Can they be bought over the counter or do we need a presciption for them?

[FireGuy]

Originally Posted by Anna Coniglio

Thanks Rick. Can they be bought over the counter or do we need a presciption for them?

Prescription - at least in Canada.

Gregg

[Dolores]

The tourism offices abroad have been instructed to meet with the airlines and tour operators and the press to provide updates on the situation. Personally, I would not take chloroquine but rather use a repellent if taking an excursion. I understand that taking this after is easier on the body than taking it as prophylaxis. To me it doesn't make sense because the chances of one getting malaria are very very minute. That is there is no alert out to Dominicans or foreign residents to take it as prophylaxis, regardless where they live, even on the border with Haiti.

Bottom line, if the mosquito doesn't bite you, it can't infect you. CDC says:

Protect yourself from mosquito bites:
Pay special attention to mosquito protection between dusk and dawn. This is when the type of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is active.
Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
Use insect repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide).

To understand malaria in perspective, see http://www.dr1.com/news/2004/120304_malaria.shtml