Swine Flu in Mexico, is it safe to go. (Merged Threads)

[5waldos]

I think that things are changing so rapidly that anything we think about this today may be completely different tomorrow. I am sure that the cruise lines are watching moment by moment, and are in high alert trying to figure out what to do. That is the nature of epidemics or pandemics. Just as I type there is a possible case in one of the Carolinas, again someone who was in Cancun. I do find that interesting since all the reported cases in Mexico are not there. As a matter of interest, none of the tourist areas are reported to have any cases- this does make me ever so slightly suspicious.

[sartracker]

Exactly STL! I'm following the CDC on twitter and there have been no reports of any such announcement about to be made.

 

I just read that report from the Chron. and they didn't quote Besslar specifically, this is the sentence in that report:

And Besser said a new U.S. travel advisory was being prepared suggesting "nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided." That's the media's way of pumping up a story. He might have said something like, "Well, if I didn't have a trip planned I wouldn't hop on a plane and go to Mexico" and they got the "avoid nonessential travel to Mexico".

 

At this point I am taking a wait and see attitude and following the source not the media. I did receive an email advising us of the current situation and asking for the dates we would be available if or when we might be needed for deployment (medical). This was in no way a rush email, just a for your information and ours "just in case".

 

And I would assume like you STL that if the cruise line cancels you would get a full refund or a voucher for another trip.

 

I just checked the CDC Travel site and the latest update at 16:03 today still says:

"CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico at this time. If you are planning travel to Mexico, follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of infection and help you stay healthy".

[STLCruiser09]

I am feeling pretty confident and I promise that unless this thing gets TERRIBLE over the next week, we are still going to Mexico. Hey, I will be able to tell my grandkids that we traveled to Mexico during the Swine Flu outbreak of 2009!!!

We are still going, 100%

 

I am ignoring my friends on facebook right now telling me to cancel the trip, "they will be praying for us", blah blah blah. The scare tactics of the media really do work, they have all my friends SUPER freaked out.

[STLCruiser09]

I think that things are changing so rapidly that anything we think about this today may be completely different tomorrow. I am sure that the cruise lines are watching moment by moment, and are in high alert trying to figure out what to do. That is the nature of epidemics or pandemics. Just as I type there is a possible case in one of the Carolinas, again someone who was in Cancun. I do find that interesting since all the reported cases in Mexico are not there. As a matter of interest, none of the tourist areas are reported to have any cases- this does make me ever so slightly suspicious.

 

 

I agree with that Waldo's.....If they tell us that the tourist towns are being hit with the flu, they would lose millions in revenue.

[sartracker]

My daughter has a trip planned to Cancun at the end of May. I'll be the first to tell her to stay home if/when it's advised to not travel to Mexico.

 

It's entirely possible that even though the kids were in Cancun that they might have come into contact with someone in Cancun (bus driver, waiter, etc.) or even someone on their flight to and from NY that was from Mexico City and was infected. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, it will take a while to figure it out.

 

Making hasty decisions based on limited facts is never wise. Wait and see, you have time. :)

[dsawyer]

My daughter has a trip planned to Cancun at the end of May. I'll be the first to tell her to stay home if/when it's advised to not travel to Mexico.

 

It's entirely possible that even though the kids were in Cancun that they might have come into contact with someone in Cancun (bus driver, waiter, etc.) or even someone on their flight to and from NY that was from Mexico City and was infected. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, it will take a while to figure it out.

 

Making hasty decisions based on limited facts is never wise. Wait and see, you have time. :)

 

 

I agree completely. Its not really anything to fear yet.

 

Kitty, email me at dsawyer22 at verizon dot net

[SeattleCruiselover]

Which ports does the Sapphire go to?

 

There are precautions you can take before, during and after your cruise. I posted on Page 4, 2 different places with info from the CDC.

 

As far as your daughter, if you feel like you might have been exposed, you could use a face mask when you get home although she might freak out about the mask.

 

Talking to a Doctor and getting an antiviral medication to take with you is a possibility, that's one of the CDC recommendations in what I posted on Page 4.

 

If you are going to be too worried to enjoy yourself, you might want to put the trip off but I don't know about refunds and that kind of thing. Since no cruises have been cancelled (and they will be if the threat becomes bigger) I'm not sure what your options are. :(

 

I don't know about where they are at but here in Seattle, Tamiflu is being rationed and with very strict guidelines on who gets and who does not, and they are NOT giving out any doses to take along for travel, particularly to known areas of outbreak.

 

I've had no fewer than 15 calls this morning from our patients who are sure that they have already got the swine flu, and only about 1/3 of them had even been to Mexico or around anyone who had.

[sartracker]

Hi! I will, I wrote it down then lost it and haven't been back on.

Email coming your way! :)

[shalornew]

In Jan. we were on Island Princess cruisinf the canal. There was an outbreak of Noro. They claimed it started when the cruise started in Acupolco. It was said the passengers brought it on board. In the buffut, they had the crew stationed with the sanitizers, they handed out the plates and silverware. They scooped the food out. You were served drinks and they even toasted your breads. There was no salt, pepper or anything like that on the tables. When the tables were bussed, the crew had gloves on. But they grabbed your glasses to fill them with whatever with the same gloves they bussed the last table with, I had wondered if they disinfected all the poker chips and cards, slot machines, and so on. Aso when we disembarked on sat morning, dd they greet the new passengers with all the precautions they had in force when we left. How did they know the crew wasn't passing the bug around?

[quincytoo]

Quite frankly I think the US Government is overreacting here.....Canada Government seems to think so too.....Like I said IF I were not so swamped here with work I would be down there in a blast :)

 

 

 

…shaw.ca/start/…

 

I am not trying to say this is not horrible but I think it is being built up to be much more then what it is.

For me I would be more worried about an Airport then I would be the actual city....Hand washing and keeping ones hands to one self seem to be the order of the day.

 

 

 

I know when we go on cruises, I NEVER use my fingers to push the elevator buttons, don't use my bare hands to hang onto the main bannister going down flights of stairs and use a paper towel for opening bathroom doors.....just because I wash my hands well doesn't mean the last person ahead of me did....I think I would extend that to doors of cabs and airports and public areas and such.

[sartracker]

Karen, from what I can tell, they have it stockpiled and are just now starting to ship it out to certain locations. I'm not sure how they decide who gets it. Someone suggested a Travel Doctor would be more likely to give it out. I've never met a Doctor who specializes just in travel so I'm not sure which type they are talking about.

 

I'll see if I can find out. :)

[sartracker]

Travel Medicine, several Docs in your area Karen.

 

Sorry, I didn't read your entire post. I hate to see people panic. I hope you were able to reassure them. :(

 

I do wonder what the Travel Med Docs are saying? :)

[Sandytoes]

 

A Mexican soldier hands out masks inside the subway at the Pino Suarez station in Mexico City. As a preventive measure against contagion of the deadly swine flu virus, more than 500 cultural and athletic events have been scuttled by government order in the capital city alone, as authorities banned large gatherings for at least 10 days.

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone cruising to Mexico better pickup a mask!!!!

 

 

That means you!!!!

 

This is serious stuff!!!

[CalCruzer]

Just returned this morning to SF from 10 day Mexican Rivera cruise. Immigration and Customs avoided us like the plague. I can only speak for those groups I observed and ourselves. We did not see any immigration officials onboard the ship, did not even have our passports checked, etc. They just told us to leave the ship and pick up our luggage. I may be wrong but I suspect that no procedure was in place. I've been reading the headlines and they state that immigration officials are checking passengers and pulling anyone that appears ill aside...not at SF. We were actually concerned as several people were coughing and appeared to be ill. My husband has developed a cough over the last couple of days and it is worse today. If it persists and he starts feeling ill we will seek medical advice immediately. Would I cancel my trip...probably not. Would I avoid remaining around anyone coughing and carry my hand sanitizer in my pocket...absolutely.

[RubyLee]

This discussion is interesting. We just returned this morning from the Princess Sar and very little notice, if any, was paid to this issue on board. No announcements, I heard about it the day we were in Cabo fromm BBC to the TV. When we disembarked this morning we we're not put through any sreeenings at all. I believe that, while the situation is still evolving, the media is using this story as the latest DISASTER event to boost ratings. My other belief is that you're much more likely to catch Noro Virus. Rember to Wash Your Hands.

[CalCruzer]

I think that things are changing so rapidly that anything we think about this today may be completely different tomorrow. I am sure that the cruise lines are watching moment by moment, and are in high alert trying to figure out what to do. That is the nature of epidemics or pandemics. Just as I type there is a possible case in one of the Carolinas, again someone who was in Cancun. I do find that interesting since all the reported cases in Mexico are not there. As a matter of interest, none of the tourist areas are reported to have any cases- this does make me ever so slightly suspicious.

 

Your last sentence says it all. I fear that information concerning reported cases in these areas will be withheld from the public in order to maintain tourist levels. This is very sad and the reason we all must take our own precautions. I am certain that Princess will take all the precautions they can by advising passengers and maintaining a clean environment onboard the ship.

[SeattleCruiselover]

Travel Medicine, several Docs in your area Karen.

 

Sorry, I didn't read your entire post. I hate to see people panic. I hope you were able to reassure them. :(

 

I do wonder what the Travel Med Docs are saying? :)

 

Yep, we have TWO of them here in our medical group (both are ID specialists). They're out of the office today, the chickens....:D

[SeattleCruiselover]

This just in from the Seattle Times with regard to Princess (who have a big corporate office here in town):

 

 

Princess Cruises, which has six ships calling at Mexican ports through the next month, said Monday it its enhancing its screening for passengers and crew boarding the ships, and will isolate and treat anyone suspected to have swine flu. The company said anti-viral medications are available on all its ships.

[lovesublime]

Quite frankly I think the US Government is overreacting here.....Canada Government seems to think so too.....Like I said IF I were not so swamped here with work I would be down there in a blast :)

 

 

 

…shaw.ca/start/…

 

I am not trying to say this is not horrible but I think it is being built up to be much more then what it is.

For me I would be more worried about an Airport then I would be the actual city....Hand washing and keeping ones hands to one self seem to be the order of the day.

 

 

 

I know when we go on cruises, I NEVER use my fingers to push the elevator buttons, don't use my bare hands to hang onto the main bannister going down flights of stairs and use a paper towel for opening bathroom doors.....just because I wash my hands well doesn't mean the last person ahead of me did....I think I would extend that to doors of cabs and airports and public areas and such.

 

 

Handwashing isn't going to do jack to prevent you from getting the flu. The flu virus is airborne and that's how you contract it. Not that I'm against viligent handwashing-by all means scrub your hands every chance you get. Just realize that it's not going to prevent you from getting the flu.

 

BTW, I don't touch elevator buttons or hand rails either. I also use a paper towel to open bathroom doors.

[Toto2Kansas]

Well, this might all be being blown out of proportion, but our news just announced they are bringing a government stockpile of Tamiful into the local airforce base here within the next 36 hours.

 

Is this because there have been reported cases here in Kansas or do they know something they aren't telling us, but are expecting to be needed soon? Guess the next few weeks we will know for sure. :o

[quincytoo]

Handwashing isn't going to do jack to prevent you from getting the flu. The flu virus is airborne and that's how you contract it. Not that I'm against viligent handwashing-by all means scrub your hands every chance you get. Just realize that it's not going to prevent you from getting the flu.

 

BTW, I don't touch elevator buttons or hand rails either. I also use a paper towel to open bathroom doors.

 

I read my post and thought that did NOT come out the way I wanted it too :o

 

Totally understand about the handwashing thing....it is just something I do on all cruises to protect against Noro....Don't know why I thought flu too...unless someone coughs into their hands and then touches a door or something.

 

I have my 17 year old home with the flu and I am checking him 24/7..much to his dismay...:rolleyes:

 

I hope thos becomes contained soon

[lovesublime]

I read my post and thought that did NOT come out the way I wanted it too :o

 

Totally understand about the handwashing thing....it is just something I do on all cruises to protect against Noro....Don't know why I thought flu too...unless someone coughs into their hands and then touches a door or something.

 

I have my 17 year old home with the flu and I am checking him 24/7..much to his dismay...:rolleyes:

 

I hope thos becomes contained soon

 

 

 

I'm wishing your son a speedy recovery. I'm also an OCD handwasher :)

[sartracker]

Yep, we have TWO of them here in our medical group (both are ID specialists). They're out of the office today, the chickens....:D

 

That is so funny! :D Maybe they're in Mexico!

 

As far as the stockpiles being moved into Kansas, yes it's probably because of that one couple. But, it's also an Air Force Base so they can move very quickly from centrally located Kansas to other spots.

 

Okay, now you can start thinking about not going. :(

CDC Recommendations at 18:52

At this time, CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.

[TomCruises]

Hey folks!

 

May I recommend "GERM-X" Antimicrobial advanced protection hand sanitizer!

 

WASH WASH WASH!!

[custompcsys]

Handwashing isn't going to do jack to prevent you from getting the flu. The flu virus is airborne and that's how you contract it. Not that I'm against viligent handwashing-by all means scrub your hands every chance you get. Just realize that it's not going to prevent you from getting the flu.

 

BTW, I don't touch elevator buttons or hand rails either. I also use a paper towel to open bathroom doors.

 

Please refrain from making false or inaccurate statements. It is exactly this type of misinformation that feeds the panic. Influenza virus is NOT airborne - it is droplet transmitted and there is a big difference. With droplet transmission, you must either touch a surface with the virus or be in close proximity to someone who has sneezed or coughed (usually 3-6 feet) and launched the droplets. The droplets required to transmit influenza are much larger than the droplet nuclei for a true airborne-transmitted disease, such as tuberculosis, anthrax, etc. Because they are significantly larger, droplets containing influenza virus do not stay suspended in the air and only travel very short distances. This is why common masks are an effective control measure - not to protect you directly as a wearer, but in preventing you from launching the droplets. Common masks do nothing to protect against true airborne transmission. They must be masks specially made for that purpose, and the wearer must be fit tested and trained in their use.

 

Ask any ID doc and they will tell you that thorough hand washing and avoiding close contact with potentially infected individuals are the first lines of defense against droplet transmitted diseases.