myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 29 December 2002

i would really appreciate a.s.a.p. any comments on travelling in tobago with a 4 month baby and a 4 yr old.I have been advised by my doctor that tobago will be a fine destination for us to travel to.I have organised our visit ( we will be staying at inn on the bay,blue waters inn at speyside and a villa at stonehaven beach ) I am now getting nervous and am worried we have chosen the wrong destination due to hearing about dengue fever.We are all having hepatitis A jabs and I am breastfeeding the baby so apparently she will be ok too as well as this helping her all round.She will only have had 1 shot of polio,diptheria and tetanus ( usually the course is 3 shots ).But it is mosquitos and dengue fever which is troubling me. I have found your website AMAZING and really helpful and we are excited about travelling.But today I got very nervous and although I don't want to cancel our trip I will if needs be. I would really appreciate any comments form anyone concerning this....also I read the Foreign office site and got nervous about this as well so was interesed to read your comments. many thanks in advance

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 29 December 2002

Hi Annabel,

There is no need to worry about dengue fever in Tobago. We had two outbreaks of dengue in two rural areas in South Trinidad earlier this year. So far no cases have been reported in Tobago. I have heard about 3 persons who had contracted a mild form of dengue this year, but all 3 of them had been in Trinidad for a while and probably got it from there. This is the end of the rainy season and there are not that many mosquitos around anyway. The local government had sprayed mosquito infested areas in October and November.

There is only one type of mosquito that carries the dengue virus ( aedes aegyptii) This mosquito looks rather different from those you usually see in Tobago, it has white dots on its black legs. It is also pretty easy to avoid mosquito bites, they usually come out at sunset, so leave swampy areas around that time or use a repellent in the evening. Mosquitos do not like airconditioned rooms. Do not wear dark clothes in the evening, they attract them like a magnet. If you sit on a balcony or porch after dark use mosquito coils or electrical devices ( bugmat ). They are available at every supermarket.

I am sure you and your children will have a great time in Tobago, the Blue Waters Inn and the Inn on the bay are very well managed properties. I am in Tobago since 1989 and none of my guests have ever contracted Dengue and even though I am travelling to Trinidad quite often I never had any problems. The people over here are well aware of dengue and the health authorities would issue warnings and spray infested areas immediately. Right now I don't even use a mosquito net at home because we hardly any of these little vampires in the house.

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 December 2002

Hi Annabel

Patrick has covered the Dengue question and I totally endorse what he says. It really isn't a problem that you need worry about - provided you take sensible precautions and avoid swampy rainforest areas at dusk. Tanja - who by strange coincidence works for Patrick at Yes Tourism - recently provided a brilliant tip in the forum. She suggested mixing citronella oil with your favourite after-sun lotion. This is a wonderful tip and we've already got ours all prepared for our forthcoming trip. See the Insects section of our general Information pages for further details (http:/www.myTobago.info/information05.htm).

What aspect of the Foreign Office advice disturbed you? If you check down the forum (easier still, use the 'Search' button at the top of this page), you will see two threads - "Foreign Office Report" on 15 December and "Foreign Office Advice" on 13 September. The FO are simply covering themselves and if you read their advice for a range of countries, you'll stay at home and not go anywhere. Fear not - the drive from your home to the airport for your flight to Tobago is almost certainly going to be the "riskiest" part of your holiday, both health and security-wise.

Have a great time and let us know how you get on, please.