Zika risk BKK?
Jan 5, 2018, 6:10 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
Zika risk BKK?
I am having trouble locating reputable reports about current Zika risk if simply transiting airports. In this case six hours stop in BKK before next flight. Any information appreciated!
Jan 5, 2018, 10:52 am
#3
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
This is such a stupid response. Its a legitimate question for pregnant women or those trying to conceive. The medical implications on a developing brain are very well documented. Its one thing to make blanket statements and act hysterically but its another to be well-informed. In fact, trying to gain understanding about health issues using reputable reporting or any number of other problems is a very smart thing to do, its part of being a mature and thoughtful decision maker.
Jan 5, 2018, 3:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 976
In my extensive experience with BKK I can't recall ever having gotten a mosquito bite at the airport. You're transiting with no plans to go through immigration, correct? In lounges, gates, etc. I think you are extremely unlikely to be bitten.
There are some areas at the airport that might be a little more prone to mosquitoes, such as the Thai-style food court on the basement level, but it seems like you will be far away from those.
Of course there's no guarantees. If it were me and I had any concern I'd probably put some repellent on anyway just to be safe.
There are some areas at the airport that might be a little more prone to mosquitoes, such as the Thai-style food court on the basement level, but it seems like you will be far away from those.
Of course there's no guarantees. If it were me and I had any concern I'd probably put some repellent on anyway just to be safe.
Jan 5, 2018, 4:16 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
While there have been cases reported in Thailand, the odds of getting a mosquito bite carrying Zika in the international transit area seems about as close to zero as one can get.
Google Zika and Thailand to get a feel for the situation.
Google Zika and Thailand to get a feel for the situation.
Jan 6, 2018, 8:00 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,597
I've never seen a mosquito in the departure/transit area of BKK airport, probably because locals are obsessive about spraying for insects and the land around the airport aren't really mosquito-breeding bounds.
The risk level would be similar to that of flying out of Boston Logan Airport because planes from Florida land in the terminals there.
FWIW, I'm generally not a fan of repellent spray so I usually just use vaseline to cover exposed skin. Safe/stable/cost effective without risking the chemicals.
The risk level would be similar to that of flying out of Boston Logan Airport because planes from Florida land in the terminals there.
FWIW, I'm generally not a fan of repellent spray so I usually just use vaseline to cover exposed skin. Safe/stable/cost effective without risking the chemicals.
Jan 6, 2018, 10:33 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: EK Pleb
Posts: 246
The temperature inside the terminal building is kept at fairly constant 25c throughout the year by air conditioning and nearly all parts of the building are well illuminated both day and night. These factors combined are not conducive to a mosquito friendly environment. Hence the comments that previous posters have made about not seeing mosquitoes inside the terminal building.
OP…. Regarding any instances of the Zika virus within Thailand, the best source of such information would be obtained from the Ministry of Public Health. You may also wish to have a look at https://www.thethailandlife.com/zika-virus-thailand which although not directly related to BKK itself still does make worrying reading.
Jan 7, 2018, 10:55 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,597
Sure, pre-construction that was a swamp-area.
Now... the land for mile+ around the passenger terminal is pretty much fully paved-over. That's why I noted that the land isn't really mosquito-breeding grounds.
Now... the land for mile+ around the passenger terminal is pretty much fully paved-over. That's why I noted that the land isn't really mosquito-breeding grounds.
Jan 8, 2018, 2:36 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: EK Pleb
Posts: 246
A close up look will show that there are large number of run-off drains leading to ponds in each corner of the airport perimeter. You will also see that there are canals just inside the perimeter fence joining each of the four large run-off ponds. To the north and the east of the airport the land is mainly paddy fields.
I suspect each of the underlined items mentioned above are prime breading areas for mosquitos. Not sure if mosquitos need clearance from ATC to enter controlled air space
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@13.6913161,100.7608689,16109m/data=!3m1!1e3
Last edited by Oldtiger; Jan 8, 2018 at 4:47 am Reason: Typo correction
Jan 8, 2018, 3:42 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Melbourne, AU
Programs: *A Gold, QF (ex-QP), AA, TG, A3 Gold, VA, SQ
Posts: 358
Maybe Mr Prayut's National Council for Peace and Order outlawed them ?
Jan 8, 2018, 5:46 am
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 63,597
Please take a look at a fairly recent Google satellite map of BKK and you will see that most of the area inside airport perimeter is in fact grass land.
A close up look will show that there are large number of run-off drains leading to ponds in each corner of the airport perimeter. You will also see that there are canals just inside the perimeter fence joining each of the four large run-off ponds. To the north and the east of the airport the land is mainly paddy fields.
I suspect each of the underlined items mentioned above are prime breading areas for mosquitos. Not sure if mosquitos need clearance from ATC to enter controlled air space
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@13.6913161,100.7608689,16109m/data=!3m1!1e3
A close up look will show that there are large number of run-off drains leading to ponds in each corner of the airport perimeter. You will also see that there are canals just inside the perimeter fence joining each of the four large run-off ponds. To the north and the east of the airport the land is mainly paddy fields.
I suspect each of the underlined items mentioned above are prime breading areas for mosquitos. Not sure if mosquitos need clearance from ATC to enter controlled air space
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@13.6913161,100.7608689,16109m/data=!3m1!1e3
And by the time you're outside the perimeter of the airport to the paddy fields... that's about a mile away from passenger terminal.
Washington DC used to be a swamp, and there are currently large patches of grass all over the city as well as drainage ditches, etc... Yet DC isn't infested with swamp-level mosquito population because grass/water isn't mosquito breeding grounds when they're routinely exposed/disturbed.
Jan 8, 2018, 3:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,192
Please take a look at a fairly recent Google satellite map of BKK and you will see that most of the area inside airport perimeter is in fact grass land.
A close up look will show that there are large number of run-off drains leading to ponds in each corner of the airport perimeter. You will also see that there are canals just inside the perimeter fence joining each of the four large run-off ponds. To the north and the east of the airport the land is mainly paddy fields.
I suspect each of the underlined items mentioned above are prime breading areas for mosquitos. Not sure if mosquitos need clearance from ATC to enter controlled air space
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@13.6913161,100.7608689,16109m/data=!3m1!1e3
A close up look will show that there are large number of run-off drains leading to ponds in each corner of the airport perimeter. You will also see that there are canals just inside the perimeter fence joining each of the four large run-off ponds. To the north and the east of the airport the land is mainly paddy fields.
I suspect each of the underlined items mentioned above are prime breading areas for mosquitos. Not sure if mosquitos need clearance from ATC to enter controlled air space
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@13.6913161,100.7608689,16109m/data=!3m1!1e3
Jan 8, 2018, 10:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: WAS/ Silver Spring, MD,USA
Programs: UA/AA
Posts: 857
That is an absurd question actually. How could anyone possibly know when and where they received a bite from a mosquito that was the one which transmitted a virus? You will not have symptoms or know of an infection the moment a mosquito sucks your blood.
Last edited by Paiteaw; Jan 9, 2018 at 6:10 am