Bonaire Mosquitos

[bkpix]

I've been noticing that people comment regularly about the mosquitos really coming out at night on Bonaire.

I know that wearing a good repellant is the best defense, but even with deet, I always manage get some bites anyway.

So, the question becomes, are they known to carry disease? There have recently been a lot of cases of Dengue Fever in the Florida Keys. If it happens there, where there is an ongoing full blown spraying attack, I figure in might happen anywhere.

Who knows what?

 

[tonka97]

I have never been bothered by mosquitoes in Bonaire.

 

[dvrliz1]

bk,

Normally the "bewitching" hours is dusk until dark, so from about 5:30 pm - around 7-7:15 pm or so. We normally see any cases of dengue, usually in Jan or Feb. The island has had an active campaign for locals and tourists to encourage people to not leave standing water, and it seems to be working. I haven't heard anything about "outbreaks" on the island in quite a while (nothing really within the last 2 years). It was just reported that they are going to start spraying (if they haven't already) starting in lower lying areas/neighborhood this month.

Not saying it cannot happen, but I think the likelihood is extremely small.

Enjoy!

 

[Korsu]

I don't know about Bonaire but here on Curacao we have had some welcome rain over the last 6 weeks. It is pouring now. That always means more "bugs".
Dengue warnings were just discussed for St Maarten but the virus should be taken seriously throughout the Caribbean. The Aedes mosquito is very drought resistant and adapts quickly to human attempts a eradication.
The usual precautions that you see all the time are still the best. Spray with DEET (watch your cameras with DEET on your hands) and wear light weight long pants at night. I think the best place to get bites are at restaurants when your sitting with shorts on. Get your wet suit on first thing at night dives as the little buggers are always around dive lockers, docks etc. Air conditioning for the bedroom if you have it. Interestingly Aedes is said not to bite after dark.
Still as above the risk remains low.
If you do get a febrile illness stay well hydrated. Dengue can only be diagnosed by blood tests.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I got hit with a case of Dengue on Bonaire in March 2009 . It is very nasty . I had less than five bites over the week . It leaves me a little gun shy about mosquito's. They kill more people than any other animal on our planet , now I know why .

 

[Korsu]

It is very nasty

That's why they call it Break Bone Fever.


Amigoe.com - Amigoe English: Dengue plagues region

This was from a local Curacao paper on Aug. 4th.
But you can be in Fla. and be at risk as well.