Spring breakers heading to Mexico Warned
Steve Kanold, owner and operator of ACT Tours in Palm Springs said that Springtime is one of his busiest times, with snowbirds and Coachella Valley residents alike headed across the border to enjoy some sightseeing and fun in the sun.
“From the Valley we go to Arizona, we cross there in Juarez and spend two nights on the Sea of Cortez,” he said, explaining his popular trip to Mexico to see the Copper Canyon. “Margarita’s are great this time of year in Mexico.”
However, the country is one of the places the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently warned travelers they could be at risk of being infected with the Zika Virus. The Center is not recommending travelers do not go, but is telling them to be cautious while they are there.
“Beware of where you’re going and if there is a mosquito outbreak going on in those areas, dress accordingly,” Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District manager Rod Chamberlain told KESQ News Channel’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner. “And beware this mosquito can transmit diseases.”
On Tuesday, Riverside County Disease Control said there were 16 current cases of Zika in Riverside County. The CVMVCD SAID all of them stem from outside travel.
“Those are travel related acquisitions of the diseases from other countries and people come back here and realize their sick,” Chamberlain said.
The Aedes Aegypti mosquito bites during the day, so those traveling to at risk areas should wear long sleeves and use bug repellant with Deet. Travelers should also be on alert. The species has black and white stripes and is a pesky bug that will not go away. The disease can also be transmitted through unprotected sex with an infected person.
Symptoms include a fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. If you think you may have been bitten, you should visit your medical provider. Pregnant women are most at risk.
