Easter Island Health

High wind and driving rain are also effective mosquito suppressants.

Traveler Advice

By Zenan Delaney

The must-not-forget for visitors to the island is mosquito repellent. Ironically, it was an infected tourist that took Dengue Fever to the island and infected the local mosquito population. You might call it the tourist’s revenge on the mosquito. Nevertheless, you will need to take the necessary precautions against the stealth of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The species is most active in the mornings and early afternoon, but you should take all necessary precautions and sleep with your windows closed. It is recommended to use a repellent with a 25-35 percent concentration of DEET on any exposed skin, especially the back of your body, since this mosquito invariably attacks from behind. It’s worth noting that this species is also silent when in flight, which makes it nearly undetectable until it’s too late. There is reluctance by the local people to admit to the problem of Dengue fever and they will tell tourists that they shouldn’t worry about it. But, don’t be fooled! The island’s mosquito hot spot is —of course— the town center, which lies in a dip enabling both man and mosquito to shelter from the pacific winds.

It is questionable that the longstanding mayor of the island does not require tourists to get the Yellow Fever vaccine since this breed of mosquito also can carry Yellow Fever. It should be noted that this disease is not currently present on the island. Although, it would only take a tourist infected with the disease to be bitten by a mosquito and we would see the same result as with the Dengue Fever.

Sidenote: A Yellow Fever vaccine is not required to enter the island. It is just a precautionary measure to ensure the future state of health on the island.