We were in Bonaire from 9/14 until this morning. What a spectacular destination! Truly heaven on earth!!

My husband and I came down with an intestinal virus within a few days of our arrival. On Thursday, my husband was so ill he had to go to the hospital, the doctor said there was an epidemic of it on the island. We are back in Florida but he is still very sick. I had the symptoms (nausea, diarrhea for a few days). We dove less than 50% of our planned dives. Has anyone heard anything about this virus?

So sorry to hear you were a victim of the virus, too....El Caringo did a post today, as well, covering the same virus and what he experienced. I hope all of you are well very quickly. What a horrible way to spend a vacation.

I have had the same thing happen to me right here at home in New Jersey, too, and it had nothing to do with Bonaire.

I hope you were able to salvage some good memories of your trip and that you are feeling well very soon. Carole

Sorry to hear you were sick. My husband became deathly ill after eating at Zeezicht but then it passed and he was OK for the rest of the trip. I seem to have something the last day or so to do with a virus and hit on the trip home and when we got home even worse, seems OK now.

But yes you are right, Bonaire is heaven on earth.

Angela

I am sorry to hear you were ill. I was down on Bonaire during the same period. I ate at many of the restuarants and food from the Cultimara without incident. I did not experience any theft
as described on some of these messages here on BT.
I found the Bonaireans to be the most friendly and helpful people.

Jake, Linda, Michael or other locals...What is your current health situation? Are you noticing a bad virus going around?

We live in the Key's and when we get hit, we all know it (small island).

Just interested to know if locals are being affected, as well?...

Some info here:

Viral Gastroenteritis

Definition
Gastroenteritis is the medical term for infections causing inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Viruses are common causes of gastroenteritis.

Description
Many infections of the digestive tract are lumped under the term gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as "stomach flu."

Most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses, although the upset also may be caused by toxic substances, antibiotics or other drugs that alter the natural bacterial population of the lower gastrointestinal tract, or a reaction to certain foods.

Bacteria such as salmonella and shigella, and intestinal parasites also may cause gastroenteritis.

Viral gastroenteritis takes two major forms: sporadic and epidemic. The sporadic form of viral gastroenteritis induces vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, fever, or a combination of these. However, it differs from the epidemic form in a number of important respects: it primarily affects infants and young children under two years of age, and it induces a range of responses that vary from subclinical infection to mild diarrhea, to a severe and occasionally life-threatening, dehydrating illness.

Epidemic viral gastroenteritis has acquired various names in medical literature including "winter vomiting disease," "acute infectious nonbacterial gastroenteritis ," "epidemic diarrhea and vomiting," "epidemic collapse," and "epidemic nausea and vomiting." In the lay press, it is frequently referred to as "intestinal flu" or "stomach flu." The last two terms are incorrect and should be avoided. The influenza virus does not cause epidemic viral gastroenteritis but instead is responsible for "the flu," a systemic, febrile (causes a fever) disease that predominantly involves the respiratory tract and not the digestive tract in humans.

Causes and Risk Factors

The primary cause of this problem is the ingestion of food that has been prepared by someone carrying the virus.

Symptoms
The symptoms caused by these infections include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. When nausea and vomiting are present, they are usually strongest the first 12 to 24 hours and slowly improve thereafter. In addition, diarrhea and cramping may begin during this 24 hour period or immediately afterward.

Diarrhea may last a day or two, or in young children it may last a week or longer. Fever is generally short-lived, lasting one to three days.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and physical exam. Stool studies may be done to rule out bacterial or parasitic infection.

Treatment
Viral gastroenteritis cannot be cured by antibiotics.

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. If the underlying cause of the gastroenteritis is viral, antibiotic therapy may prolong the diarrhea.

A bland diet consisting of clear liquids, bananas, rice, apples, and toast may be recommended initially, as well as adequate fluid replacement. Elderly or extremely ill persons may have to be hospitalized for intravenous replacement of fluids.

A variety of medicines, many of them non-prescription, can ease the effects of stomach cramps and gas pains. Although these agents may be effective in reducing the fluid loss associated with diarrhea, their use does not preclude fluid maintenance and replacement. Common antidiarrheals include Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, and Lomotil.

Certain antidiarrheals may reduce the ability of your intestines to eliminate an infectious agent and may prolong or complicate your condition. Ask your physician for advice.

Sounds like Jake has had the same flu over the weekend. It kept him out of the wateron Saturday during our fishing line cleanup.

We were in Bonaire last week, too, but were fortunate not to suffer any health problems. I did note, however, that the tap water turned brown for several hours on Wednesday where we were staying in Belnem. Tap water looked rusty, like tea, but did not have an odor. I'm not sure if it was a local problem or more widespread. We were assured that the water was safe, but we decided to drink bottled water for the next couple of days. An epidemic of gastroenteritis can often be traced back to water supply, though I have no information to support that conjecture in this case. Indeed, one of the attractive features of Bonaire has always been it's safe and tasty water supply.

I think the virus vector is going along a different path (not the water supply). I've spoken to a number of folks today who either had the stomach virus I had (and still have a bit of) over a week ago, and some who are getting it just now. This happens here occasionally - certain minor illnesses seem to migrate through the population. On the bright side of things it improves our immune systems :-)

Jake

We’ve had a heck of stomach virus going around Washington DC (probably a terrorist plot) along with the dreaded “West Nile” (4 deaths in our area already). Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the point of origin was right here. Also note that ½ of the San Francisco 49ers suffered the same and still were able to trounce the Redskins . I’m sure we’ll be able to link it back to Sadam somehow, just give Washington a few days.

I found this article to be interesting. It was recently in Curacao.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TRAVEL/11/15/sick.cruise.ap/index.html

Pretty scary stuff. I wonder if it was the same one that hit Bonaire??? Hmmmm. Hope everyone recovers quickly and completely. Carole