Mosquito Season??

UberBone

Hey ppl,

We're on our way soon, 10th Sept, into Delhi, then North to Manali.

We're gonna be around for 6 months and I'm very much hoping to avoid malarial drugs - prevention seems the way for me. However, I am fully aware that some areas may be more risky at different times.

I know when the Midgies come out here (buggers), They've gone now (ish) - How is it in Delhi and North at the moment? Am I wrong to think that "winter" will be the end of them for a while?

wonderwomanusa

The US Center for Disease Control says:

Malaria Risk by Country

India: All areas, including the cities of Delhi and Bombay. Risk in areas at altitudes <2,000 m (6,561 ft) in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Sikkim.

In the end, the decision whether to take anti-malarials is yours; I guess it depends on whether you can learn from others' experiences, or if you feel you have to re-invent the wheel to use it.

Me? I don't leave home without my doxycycline.

You might also use the SEARCH function of this forum for more opinions. Just type in "malaria." We've been discussing it for years.

Sama

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crvlvr

Mosquitos are everywhere in India. You are guaranteed to get bitten. Whether or not you get malaria, is sheer luck.

adam_carsis

But what about winter (sept-jan to be specific). How bad are Mosquitoes in Northern Inda during these times. Are there mossies anytime of the year in all India???

Nick-H

If you come to Chennai in May/June you'll find fewer mossies. They can't stand that much heat. trouble is, neither can we!

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crvlvr

the key word here is "fewer" -- a relative term. For some one who has never had to deal with mozzies, even these "fewer" mozzies might be too much to deal with.

UberBone

yeah, thanks for the replies - I'm a forumite and use search before I post anything ... :P it's very rude not too.

But I've never found any info on my particular question - and it seems even this thread won't provide a specific answer.

Everywhere/All the time seems to be the consensus.

Fewer, morer, sleepier-er or bite-ier are perfectly good words to use in this thread

Nick-H

Too right ---although when it gets really hot I can go several days without a bite!
Don't give up yet! Indiamike is like that.

Being a Southerner, I have no idea about those places up North where it actually gets cold in the winter.

But somebody here will have. But I suspect whoever said It's India: expect mosquitoes (or words to that effect) has probably summed it up. At least below a certain altitude: one good thing about the cold, wet weekend I spent in Ooty last month was no mosquitoes

Grantaustralia

Uber-bone,
As you have searched you may have seen the exact same question posted by me last year (and I got the same response ie search - I said "I did but no one is talking about up North in the winter" I left it at that). I spent 4 weeks in West Bengal Dec/Jan and simply used a high DEET repellant (Bushmans - an Aussie product). This year we are travelling accross the North (landing in Delhi and movng to Kolkata) and will do the same again.
This is a choice I make, you need to make yours. We stayed in school halls in West Bengal (Pokriahbong) and never saw a mozzie at that time of year.

kidsan

as far as i am aware, malaria is not a problem in the mountains. I have heard the figure of 1600mts as being a cut-off point...maybe someone will verify that?

Anyway, Uber, i also will be in the mountains of himachal pradesh as of the 9th sept and i will not be taking anti-malarials (as i didn't on previous trips)

It is of course up to you...K

UberBone

Won't give up

I really just want to manage the situation with a sound fact base and appropriate control measures, rather than take pills for 6 months solid.

Anyway, this isn't a "should I or shouldn't I?" thread (I seen all them on my extensive searches )

I've made my mind up anyway, no pills for me, got a vaporiser, mossie net, long sleeved "NoSquito" everything, strong Deet and a CamelBack full of JD. Plus the clouds of smoke billowing around me tend to put them off too.

Caroline wants to take the medication, but there's some concern about other medication she takes, this will be sorted with our GP later today - along with our Jabs - on which I have conceded and am getting all the free ones.

<edit> Nice to see the usual balance of opinion, and never any flaming - though I think someone poked me in the eye earlier, I let it ride ... the karma of this place is rubbing off on me </edit>

Nick-H

Mostly we only poke people in the eye in fun

I want to know, now, as well... you guys in Delhi, for instance: do you get mosquitoes in the winter? How about Kolkotta?

Please, someone: spill the beans

IVAN

Btw., a part malaria, mosquitoes can carry a lot of other diseases, like Dengue and a bunch of others: Mosquito borne diseases
So put on your repellent and use nets.

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UberBone

Excellent point.