Punta Cana - Malaria

[cyndi]

Does anyone know if it is still recommended to take malaria pills when going to Punta Canad? As we will be going in May and don't know whether it is necessary to take them. Also does anyone know what the weather is like in May in DR?

 

[LBARUBA99]

Just came back from Punta Cana on MOnday. No, Malaria is no longer a risk. Good thing, I got many bites!!!

We had a terrific time. It's real gorgeous.

The weather was PERFECT. 80-85 degress every day with a breeze. We were there for eight days at the Catalonia Bavaro Resort (BEAUTIFUL PLACE) and it only rained on the day we were leaving from 7-7:15 am with the sun out. We had PERFECT weather. Couldn't ask for better. I'm sure May is the same. Any questions, e-mail me back. Have a great time.

 

[Heather]

Hi , We went two years ago in May, and the weather was fantastic! We are going again this May 6-20 staying at Bavaro, any questions I 'd be happy to help......malaria is not a problem in Punta Cana

 

[Susanne]

No malaria risk in Punta Cana

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and other countries' health authorities have recalled the malaria alert that they forwarded in December as the cluster of cases appearing then has stopped. They are now back to the standard malaria precautions for the Dominican Republic: If you stay overnight in rural areas or by the Haitian border, malaria prophylaxis by Chloroquine is recommended. Otherwise it is not.

Follow the link below to get more on health precautions in the Dominican Republic.

Regards, Susanne

 

[Donna]

We got back the end of March - the malaria scare is definitely lifted and there is no reason to take medication!!!!!

 

[Pam]

I am not taking any chances. According to the CDC and the travelers clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital where I was treated, there is a risk of malaria when you leave the resort areas. The mosquitos ate me alive in Mexico last year and I did become ill. We did leave the resort area to visit various attractions.We plan to take that safari tour in the DR. I am taking no chances. My doctor gave me hepatitis shots and I am taking the malaria pills. What happened to all of the mosquitos who carry malaria in the DR? Are they all dead all of a sudden? Why risk it?

 

[Susanne]

You don't understand: The mosquitoes spreading malaria are only active between sunset and sunrise. If you go on tours in rural areas during daytime, there is no risk whatsoever, no matter where you are.

You are right that you shouldn't take chances, and a Hepatitis A shot is a very good idea as is tetanus and diptheria. However, if there was a malaria risk when going on the occasional tour through plantations, forests and mountains, lots and lots of tourists would return home ill. They don't.

As for what happened to this special breed of mosquitoes around Punta Cana: They got killed. And the people working there now have to certify they don't have malaria. Malaria can only spread if there is a host with malaria - in other words, humans with malaria. This is why the risk is a lot larger close to Haiti: More Haitians have malaria.

But again: Travel during the day and you don't have to worry.

Regards, Susanne

 

[Pam]

The Haitians are blamed for every ill on the island. It is ridiculous. They are treated poorly for obvious reasons. You can't blame malaria on the Haitians. If Elian Gonzolez were Haitian, he would have been shipped back to his homeland on the fastest boat possible.

 

[ECH, M.D.]

First off you are over reacting. Why don't you take prophylaxis for rabies and plague.....I mean it is always a remote possibility. You must understand the life cycle of the malaria parasite. It needs a human host to complete the life cycle. Hatians are blames because they have little or no malaria control measures in Haiti. They are the human host. In fact they have little of anything, but that is another story. So yes, you can blame malaria on the Haitians, or more specifically, the Haitian government. But don't be too harsh on them, for they have more pressing problems than mosquitoe abatement programs. And while Johns Hopkins is a most respected medical institution, it is the CDC that is charged with monitoring, first the national health and then world health problems. It is the CDC that gathers the necessary information and sends investigators into the field. It is the CDC that is the front line of defense for Disease Control....not Hopkins. Therefore it is CDC that makes the recommendations for the rest of us to follow. They are the experts. And currently they say there is no risk of malaria in the DR and therefore, no need for prophylaxis at this time.

 

[Susanne]

I am most certainly not blaming Haitians. However, Malaria is widespread in Haiti, mainly because the country is among the poorest in the World, not because Haitians are "bad people" or anything else. This is a fact. Not an accusation.

Malaria mosquitos needs a human host with malaria to spread the disease. This too is a fact and not an accusation. And the latest cluster of malaria cases in the Punta Cana area coincided with a large amount of construction workers from Haiti being there to build new resorts. This is also a fact and the reason that the workers now have to certify they don't have malaria.

The conflict between Haitians and Dominicans have absolutely nothing to do with malaria but a lot to do with history, culture, money and race. On this particular subject I tend to lean in favour of the Haitians which a lot of people on this board can testify (some of them have chewed my xxx off because of it). So for your idea that I blamed malaria on the Haitians out of habit and meanness - forget it.

So before you jump to the attack, do some research. And enjoy your holiday without worrying too much. There is a lot to be enjoyed.

Regards, Susanne

 

[Melanie]

Back to the original question. I am going to Punta Cana in 2 weeks. My health insurance company recommended taking the malaria prevention medication as a precaution. Who is to say a new scare isn't going to break out in May? It is alot easier to take meds once a week for 4 weeks then to be worried and tested for malaria everytime you get sick for the next year.

 

[Cathy]

Sure, hoping that there are no side effects for you from something that isn't necessary. We went to Punta Cana in March and never even saw a mosquito. But...it is your health.

 

[Pam]

I have been taking the medication for two weeks and I have experienced no side effects. Of effects will vary. Again, I say better safe than sorry.

 

[Tom]

Pam

Balance any possible side effects against your peace of mind and go from there

Tom

 

[corneleo]

we went many times too Punta Cana alsoo in novembre 1999 nothing happend but 3 weeks home my wife became sick lot of diarriea till end march. normally there is no malaria in Punta Cana but what was the case in end 1999 there was a hurricane you will know that and normally the storms go from africa too america (over pruerto rico/ DR / cuba america or mexico

now the storm went from the other side soo he went first over cuba /Haiti Yes this is the malaria maker / down too south over Punta Cana the mosqityos are verry small they came with the storm this happens a verry few times is history

 

[Mike]

Malaria not a problem in Punta Cana