| Read, Like, Follow, Share: |  |  |  | |
 Activities
Books & Guides
Beaches
Calendar of Events
 Events
Car Rental
Food & Drink 
Dining Reviews
Hotels & Resorts
Hotel News
Special Offers
Reviews
Virtual Tours
Hotel Map
Local Stuff
Maps of St. Barts
Hotel Map
Satellite Map
News
Real Estate
Shopping & Art
Shopping News
Transportation
Travel Forum
Video
Villa Rentals
Wimco Villas
Villa News
Villa Reviews
|
Caribbean-On-Line / St. Barts / Local Stuff / Dengue Fever Hits St. Barth
St. Barth is currently experiencing an epidemic of dengue fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Although the Collectivity has initiated a program of spraying for the pesky critters, there are several measures you can take to protect yourself. Use mosquito repellant religiously - this is the time to forego your possible dislike of repellants. A natural repellant is citronella oil, which is sold at the pharmacies. It might not smell great, but it does keep the mosquitos away. And, maybe it's like garlic - if you're both using it, you may not smell it! Also, pick up an electric "tennis racket" at any number of stores and use it to swat the mosquitoes. You'll generally find them the worse early in the morning and in the evening. Another trick is to avoid wearing black. Mosquitos are attracted to black since it provides camouflage for them. Following the proper precautions should keep you safe.
we were in st barths 03 - 10 december in a villa rented through wimco/sibarths. unfortunately they dont warn any of their clients about dengue. considering they rent most of the villas on the island one would think that morally they could do this. perhaps if one of the owners of these rental companies had to be gravely ill with dengue they would rethink their working practices. it was the nastiest medical situation all three of us have ever experienced and its the duty of every agent booking clients to the island to inform them of dengue so they have the choice to go ahead with the vacation or not. ilana
Posted by: ilana stein at January 13, 2010 7:19 PM
Yes, There Is Dengue On St Barts, The locals do not want to talk about it or admit it. They are afraid to loose business, which I understand. Everyone seems to have a very cavalier attitude about it. Most cases are not reported from tourists. They go home and 10 days later come down with a bad flu that is dengue. those cases are never reported.So how many cases have there really been on St. Barts???? The island should warn the tourists, especially those traveling with small children. The hotels and House rentals should provide nets or at least warn their clients.. Many rental houses are completely open, although wonderful, dangerous for those with small children and exposed to Dengue mosquitoes . This past winter when I visited, I rented a house not knowing of the Dengue outbreak. The house was beautiful but completely open. The owner told me that there was no dengue on the island.I was traveling with a baby, why would I risk a baby getting sick. I lost my deposit and rental fee and had to find a place with screens. I visit St Barts Twice a year every year. I love the island, it is a very special place. Sadly, I have chosen to not return due to the cavalier attitude about Dengue.
Posted by: Tina Clarke at March 30, 2010 6:44 AM
I traveled with 3 girlfriends to St Bart and rented a beautiful villa through Wimco. All 3 of my friends became deathly ill with dengue the day we left. Two of them were hospitalized, one had the severe form of illness and was sick for weeks. In her words, she thought she was dying. Although the villa and service were impeccable, the mosquitoes were out of control there was no education whatsoever about dengue. A little mention of it in our welcome packet would have made us retreat to the closed off bedroom portions of the villas in early mornings and evening! We would have been more diligent about the spray. How about a little sparying around the villas to prevent this illness from spreading. This is no little flu- this is a major horrendous tropical disease! We were curious as well as to just how many tourists fall ill with this after their travels there. The more I look, the more I hear! Beautiful island, but be warned.
Posted by: Azra at July 16, 2010 11:11 PM
try renting a villa high on a hill - there is plenty of breeze that keeps mosquitos pretty much at bay!
Posted by: jean at July 19, 2010 2:20 PM
I Visit St Barts Every year.
last year 4 friends of mine came home very very sick From dengue.
The Hotels tell you that Dengue has always been on the Island.
Yes it has, However , It has now become an epidemic !! They do not spray, they do not talk about it, there is a small hand out when you arrive about dengue. If you have children, please be careful this is not to be taken lightly. Children have become very very ill from dengue on St Barts. vacationers please educate yourself before going. and be warned dengue is all over the island,
Posted by: Elizabeth Barnett at October 17, 2010 2:27 AM
Dengue is everywhere in the Caribbean
Dengue is in Florida
I can't believe you come from a country with Lymes disease, bubonic plague and drug resistant tuberculosis and get your knickers in a not about an infection that gives you flu like symptoms, which are spookily similar to that of a hangover.
I suggest you stay at home and lock the doors, and stop boring us with your hysterical ramblings.
No one has ever died of the dengue on St Barts, because the strains prevalent here are not the nasty one.
Posted by: Jeff at December 20, 2010 10:47 AM
Yes, There is ALOT of DENGUE on the island of St. Barts
It is True and very dangerous for small children. and Yes it is an epidemic. the people who live on St Barts, do not talk about it, do not tell you and do Not SPRAY.... therefor you have Dengue and maybe no one dies, but you do get very very sick. although Dengue has always been on the island it has never until recently been an epidemic. Just be careful if you go on vacation, many have come home sick.
Posted by: Elizabeth Knolls at February 8, 2011 1:56 PM
Went to St Barth on my honeymoon and lived in Eau de Off. Every shop had it on the counter. But we loved it. We are considering going back this summer and now I am at a pause. Dengue Fever? Ok. So we won't die from it...but who wants to feel crappy either there or coming home from vacation? Its bad enough coming back to reality. But being there and feeling awful or coming back with a hangover + 10...doesn't sound good. Anyone out there just coming back or have something to add? August looks like one of the worst months to go.
Posted by: Cooper at March 22, 2011 6:26 PM
|
St. Martin - St. Barts Map by IGN
$19.95
|
we were in st barths 03 - 10 december in a villa rented through wimco/sibarths. unfortunately they dont warn any of their clients about dengue. considering they rent most of the villas on the island one would think that morally they could do this. perhaps if one of the owners of these rental companies had to be gravely ill with dengue they would rethink their working practices. it was the nastiest medical situation all three of us have ever experienced and its the duty of every agent booking clients to the island to inform them of dengue so they have the choice to go ahead with the vacation or not. ilana
Posted by: ilana stein at January 13, 2010 7:19 PM