[Travelandtourism] Zika Virus - Should you be afraid of traveling and how you should be protected - Long Email

[Cheryl Echevarria]

Good afternoon all:

 

Since we have many people, meaning members and officers, who are not yet on
the travelandtourism at nfbnet.org <mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> , we
ask that you reply to our talk list, if you have not joined yet, here is the
link http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org

 

This will help me and others by sending out just one email to all instead of
multiple contact lists that many might be on all 3.

 

If you are already on the travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
<mailto:travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> , please email me at
cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com <mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> , so I can take
you off the other lists.

 

Now on to the subject at hand.

 

Zika Virus - Do not let the news bites and other information out there scare
you half to death on this.

 

The mosquitoes that they speak of are even in the lower half of the United
States like in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, etc. They would not be found in
cooler climates like Canada, Europe, Parts of Asia, etc.

 

>From areas of the Caribbean and not all of them through Brazil, these
mosquitoes can be found.

 

In most cases, like most of us you don't know you have been bitten by a
mosquito until you start itching. 8 of 10 people don't even let that bother
them. If you are a person, who reads my e-zine from Echevarria Travel, you
have  gotten the information on this.  Most people might get a rash scratch
the rash and then possibly touch their eyes, which can turn into pink eye,
maybe a slight fever, but unless you have traveled to the locations that are
infected and it will show up the symptoms within a week. 

 

>From the information out from the CDC - Centers from Disease Control and WHO
- World Health Organization they said the serious issues are happening with
those people who are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant, only because
they have  high areas of Brazilians who have had babies with small heads and
possible brain damage. There is no substantial proof at this time, that any
of this is connected to the Zika Virus.

 

There is now, as of today, February 2, 2016 - Public Health Emergency of
International Concern.

 

Again, so unless you have traveled to certain areas of the Caribbean,
Mexico, Central American and South American and unless you plan on visiting
these countries anytime soon, you are okay. You will not contact this from
people who have visited these places, etc.

 

What you can do in general to protect yourselves against this, and what
destinations are doing as well?

 

First of all, you know in the USA we have other mosquito concerns that can
actually do more damage and these precautions should be taken at all times.
I am talking about West Nile Virus!

 

One you should and many of the places you planning on going to, please
either check with your travel professional or the place you have booked
with, also around your own home.

 

Make sure after it rains, to make sure you drain standing water from
buckets, maybe pots, or other things lying around that can trap water.

 

Use mosquito and bug spray in the evenings! Do not wear perfumes! Wear long
pants if you have to and long sleeved shirts or just a light sweeter it is
better to be cautious then  to get bitten anywhere!

 

Make sure after showering, at the beach, etc, in the evening that you have
cover up and that you are dry. Mosquitos love moist wet areas of the body.

 

If you are unsure, and you have gotten bitten by a zika infected mosquito,
after you return from your trip, visit your doctor for a blood test, again,
right now there is no cure for it.

 

Another thing is especially in Brazil and other countries, there medical
services aren't the best, many poor people in these countries, and many
women do not have the best maternity care!

 

Again, only people of concern while traveling is those of child bearing
ages. If you are not pregnant but are sexually active, be careful. WE CANNOT
RECOMMEND BIRTH CONTROL OR OTHER ISSUES, it is up to the person, what to do
about it!

 

No one is entitled to anything, just protect yourself and ask the questions
when travel planning.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Cheryl Echevarria, President

National Federation of the Blind - Travel & Tourism Division

Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of New York State - Greater Long Island
Chapter

631-236-5138

cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com

"Live the Life You Want"

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 

 

Cheryl Echevarria was awarded by Governor Cuomo in 2012, New York State
Disabled Entrepreneur or the year, and is the owner of Echevarria Travel