Iberostar Punta Cana- Malaria Risk?

Hi,
I have similar problems with mosquitoes, but I actually moved here...and have had no 'Malaria' problems.
I would suggest wearing long pants in the evening after abt 6pm- they seem (to me) to be all out to dinner!

I am going for the first time as well. I am a fair skinned redhead that mosquitos love. I am just as nervous as you!

Prevention medicines

see you physician for advice.

While chloroquine is the malaria drug of choice for the Dominican Republic, atovaquone / proguanil ,doxycycline and mefloquine are as effective as chloroquine and readily available.

The malaria alert has not been updated since January 26, 2007.
Most resorts have an effective spray program, amd use of repellant with DEET is also recommended.


Reports of Malaria in the Dominican Republic: Travel Health Advisory: Travel Medicine Program, Public Health Agency of Canada

Hlywud said:

see you physician for advice.

While chloroquine is the malaria drug of choice for the Dominican Republic, atovaquone / proguanil ,doxycycline and mefloquine are as effective as chloroquine and readily available.

The malaria alert has not been updated since January 26, 2007.
Most resorts have an effective spray program, amd use of repellant with DEET is also recommended.


Reports of Malaria in the Dominican Republic: Travel Health Advisory: Travel Medicine Program, Public Health Agency of Canada

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Good to hear that most resorts spray! I never travel without my DEET! I definitely will take it up with my Doctor. Thanks for your post!

When I first went, I got on the cloroquine and it gave me an upset stomach...now I just risk it and, as people say, cover up if I am somewhere that hasn't been sprayed. I followed the same strategy in India and I'm still here to talk about it

mattm said:

When I first went, I got on the cloroquine and it gave me an upset stomach...now I just risk it and, as people say, cover up if I am somewhere that hasn't been sprayed. I followed the same strategy in India and I'm still here to talk about it

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Sorry but an upset stomach for a few days beats Malaria any day.

You're still here because you've beaten the odds, 'so far'

By taking something at least you are reducing those odds.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.

Freemo said:

Sorry but an upset stomach for a few days beats Malaria any day.

You're still here because you've beaten the odds, 'so far'

By taking something at least you are reducing those odds.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.

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Is there really that much of a risk? What percentage of tourists do you think actually go on a malaria prescription, and what percentage get malaria?

Well, I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination but I wouldn't take the pills. It's easily "cured" if you contract it. I hate taking anti-malaria pills. I have taken them numerous times when I've travelled to Africa and Asia. I think that they are a hassle.

Wacky dreams, upset stomach, you have to take them the same time every week/day. One pill you have to stay out of the sun. You have to eat with them. One pill you take for 8 weeks. The list goes on. It depends on which of the 3 three pills you take. You can't drink ALCOHOL if I remember correctly with one of them too.

For the DR I'd pass-- Africa, or Asia-- OK.

But only you can make that decision.

Malaria Risk

I've been to Punta Cana three times and will be returning for my fourth in 3 weeks. I did a lot of reading before my first trip and was also worried about malaria and whether or not I should take preventative meds. One thing I read was that the after effects from the medication CAN be worse than the disease itself. If you're staying at an All-Inclusive and not going off the resort much, you're not at high risk for contracting malaria. They do a good job of spraying for insects because they want to keep the tourists comfortable.

I agree with others that if you're going to be out after dark or going into the countryside during the day that you're going to want to use a powerful insect repellent with DEET.

Enjoy your trip!

louise_thumper said:

I have never been to DR before but have just booked with my boyfriend to go mid july for 2 weeks to the above hotel.

I am terrified of gettin malaria as mosquitos LOVE me!...but i am so excited about going away so couldnt let it put me off going!

anyone able to put my mind at ease?.... prefention/tablets etc?
is it common in july?...any goosdplug in things for bedroom?
also, anyone stayed at this hotel? i have spent HOURS reading reviews but have decided to join a forum as i have so many questions...

any help at all would be much appreciated,

Thanks

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This is a great debate and I think everyone's perspective will help us all know what is right for us!

Malaria is a disease where the effects can re-occur for the rest of your life.

Novo-chloroquine is taken once a week for 2 weeks before you go, while you are there, and then 8 weeks after your return. You can drink alcohol while you are taking it.

Personally, would rather incur any side effects than have the malarial symptoms every year.

aMacFan said:

Malaria is a disease where the effects can re-occur for the rest of your life.

Novo-chloroquine is taken once a week for 2 weeks before you go, while you are there, and then 8 weeks after your return. You can drink alcohol while you are taking it.

Personally, would rather incur any side effects than have the malarial symptoms every year.

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So there are 2 types of people, it seems:

Type 1: Better safe than sorry.
Type 2: I'm unlikely to be sorry, so ...

It really comes down to your personality and attitude toward risk, I think. I traveled to New Delhi in November, which is hot on the heels of the dengue fever season in that region. Lots of media attention was put on dengue, but there were only thousands of cases among something like 13 billion persons. My colleagues in India laughed when I asked if I should cancel my trip, saying "yes, cancel the trip if you were planning on camping on a construction site or field where there is a lot of standing water...where the mosquitoes that carry dengue emanate from. Don't bother canceling if you are staying at the Radisson "

The point is -- if you are planning an atypical vacation to the D.R. where you will be hanging around in the forest and getting yourself deeply embedded in the country, TAKE THE PILLS! If you are going to a decent resort, are sensible in the evenings (long sleeves, not hanging around in swamps, etc.)...perhaps you could get away without the pills. I fall into the second category...plus the cloroquine gives me an upset stomach and weird dreams.

YMMV.

There are 3 types of malaria. The deadly type--which is non re-occurring --you cure it and get on with your life. or you don't and you die.

But since you are in the DR and not the outbacks of some African nation where it takes you 5 days by foot to get you to a clinic during the rainy season you will be treated. You will survive because by the time you come down with the symptoms you will be sitting in a Starbucks a short taxi ride away from a hospital.

They will draw you blood and know a short time later what is wrong with you. They will give you the proper Anti-malaria pills-- the ones that you were thinking about taking and voila-- you will be cured. (they will look online and see that the only type of malaria is ...... (i think it's the deadly one in the DR which you will be cured of because see above)

If I am mistaken and it's one of the other 2 malarias -----it can remain dormant for years and you might not even know that you have it. Then one day.....

You will not die from it. It can re-occur everytime you are stress out.

If you do get sick from it prior to it remaining dormant -- see above--- you will be treated and be sent on your way.

The only time you die from it is when you IGNORE it ---Which is difficult to do because you are on YOUR DEATH BED!!!!! or if you live 5 days away from the the clinic during the rainy season.----which you don't!

We took the malarial prophylaxis every week for the first 6 years we lived here (1992-1998) regardless of side effects. Fortunate really because when I got toxoplasmosis, apparently (according to UK tropical medicine specialists) I only got a very mild dose because I had sufficient malaria prophylaxis in my system to counterract it.