Originally Posted by
hyperzulu
Yes. I don't remember dealing with mosquito bites while there last time though, and I didn't even use any repellent. I don't work for the CDC, but it seems the majority of cases involving birth defects for some inexplicable reason seem to be disproportionately higher in Brazil. Plenty of cases of Zika in places like Mexico, but even of those cases where a woman was pregnant, only a small percentage have resulted in birth defects in the fetus. Women are still getting pregnant in Mexico. They're still getting pregnant in Brazil. If taking precautions means you have to move to Alberta, then I think I might as well give up on children entirely. Presumably so should everyone living in the tropics.
In my opinion if one is going to be super concerned about catching Zika, they should choose another destination. Not because your fears make you a magnet for Zika-carrying mosquitoes, but more so I think you'll just ruin your vacation. I would likely be more worried about her out and about, day to day, driving in LA traffic.
This is going to get slightly off topic but as a parent you do whatever you need to do to protect your children. If there's even the slightest of risks that they will be born with devastating and life changing defects and it's within your control to remove that risk then you do. A trip to the Maldives to spend some Hilton points kind of pales into insignificance when you consider what could happen. I'm a new Dad (my daughter is 2) and it's amazing how your outlook changes when you realise that you're completely responsible for the well being of a little person. It's a steep learning curve and one I'm still adjusting to but their best interests have to come first every time. In the first year of having our daughter we cut back our long haul travel but thankfully there's still lovely easy to reach places like the Cote d'Azur that we were able to go to instead. Since turning 1 she has done a huge amount of travel with us and loves every second of it but I'm still glad that we put her interests first whilst my wife was pregnant. Whatever you choose to do becoming a parent is incredible and your life changes in the most amazing way imaginable.