The "NEWSFLASH …… Major Medical Problem in Paradise" Story

It was an ordinary day.  One that is making me think quite a bit.  And, you know how well old brains tend to make a mountain out of a molehill for no reason at all.  Ever hear that one before?  Well, last year I reported on the Dengue Fever being rather prevalent in the Caribbean and how concerned I was that I may contract the fever while making my yearly visit to St. Martin.  I don't want to say that I was fearful of what could happen, but I certainly was concerned.  I took along plenty of spray with deet and had no trouble on my trip.  Now today I open up Travel Talk Online (TTOL) and there in front of me on the bright yellow page in blue ink is a thread titled "Chikungunya  Virus."  Uh-oh!!  Seems that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel notice for St. Martin as Chikungunya cases have reached 10.  Why is it that the place that is your favorite for relaxation and fun is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that is mentioned?   

The Chikungunya disease is carried by this mosquito.  Too
bad it isn't this size for it would be so much easier to sight.

The CDC notes that the mosquito that carries the Chikun- gunya virus is the same one that carries the Dengue fever.  It can bite you during the day as well as night, both indoors and outdoors, and often lives around buildings in urban areas.  Kinda means that you can't escape it, doesn't it.  Last year we saw almost no mosquitoes on our visit after the warning was posted, but the warning was for the Caribbean area as a whole.  This warning states: "Travelers who go to St. Martin in the Caribbean are at risk of getting Chikungunya."  The island has two sides, one being the Dutch side titled Sint Maarten, and the French side titled St. Martin.  Now I know the mosquitoes can't differentiate and stop when they get to the border, but the warning is strictly for the French side of the island.  And, you can guess which side we have rented a villa for our trip this year.  Yep!!  Seems there is no treatment for Chikungunya and no preventative vaccine for the viral disease.  Supposed to cover exposed skin, use insect spray and sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms or use a bed net if outdoors.  Well, our villa will be air-conditioned and no way will the buggers survive the low 60s at which we keep the temperature, but covering up will be a huge problem.  Are trip is timed with our yearly need for Vitamin D and for that you need sun and skin.  Plenty of it!  The area called Orient Beach where we stay and visit the beach has been sprayed for the mosquito and I suspect will continue to be sprayed so we have the knowledge that something is being done.  This disease has infected over a million people in India and is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever accompanied by joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.  Some people on TTOL have reported that they contracted Dengue in the past and it is hell to get out of bed at all for a few months.  Just what I need!  Of all places in the western hemisphere it has to pick our favorite island.  It's not like there are hundreds of cases though.  NEWSFLASH ****  December 16, 2013 …..  TEN more have been biologically confirmed with four more probable.  CBS radio also announced that people should stay away from the French side.  I can tell you that if the bug is found on the Dutch side, near the town of Philipsburg where all the cruise ships arrive, something radical will be done to stop it.  Cruise ships bypassing this island could cause a major upheaval in the economy of the island.  Well, the only good thing about this entire situation is I haven't purchased my airfare yet!!  It's going to be a waiting game.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.