swine flu and travelling

[dazzer68]

dont want to get over hyped about this , but whats the chance of flights and holidays being cancelled due to the swine flu? im flying from uk to the usa, we have already been advised not to travel in the eu? will usa be next?only 19 days to go hope it doesnt all go wrong now....

 

[Chance]

It is more deadly because it attacks HEALTHY ADULTS with good immune systems and overwhelms it, there is no vaccine and does not respond to most antivirals.

As for the rest ... :lol:

yet the first US death was a toddler...........

 

[Tater48]

yet the first US death was a toddler...........

From Mexico, visiting with family in Brownsville, who was air lifted to Houston.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

yet the first US death was a toddler...........

From Mexico, visiting with family in Brownsville, who was air lifted to Houston.

...who was already very ill with the flu on arrival in the US.

It is not a matter of this being serious or not, it's that it is blown way our of proportion.
Answer me this: Is there a news agency in the country that is not chomping at the bit to report the first flu case in "their state"? That is disturbing.

I guess the Norwalk virus (cruise ship disease) is no longer news

 

[Lucky]

People with trips planned for late summer and fall worry about hurricanes, even though the parks are rarely affected by them. So it's only natural people with trips planned for the next couple of months would worry about swine flu.

 

[Tater48]

So when is the news going to now report that the 23 month old who died from this "Swine flu", had some serious underlying health problems beforehand? We just found this out this afternoon (Yes, I am a first responder here).

 

[smk]

You know, it is really easy for some of you who have not been directly affected by this to make fun of people who are concerned or worried. But I take offense to the sarcastic tone some of you have towards people who are concerned.

Would you like to know why? Well, I had to keep my son home from school today because he had fever and sore throat, etc. Was I worried? Not really, I figured it was a cold.

But guess what? I just got a message that his school is closing. Why? Because of several cases of flu that were reported today....and are in the process of being confirmed (or hopefully) unconfirmed as Swine flu. Seeing how I live in Texas in a city where there have already been confirmed cases, there is a pretty good chance these are going to turn up positive for swine flu.

And you know what else? One of these students has had direct contact with my child.

So while you all sit at your computers tomorrow making sarcastic remarks in this and other threads about swine flu, I will be taking my little guy in for a flu test, and praying that it is negative....especially since his younger sister is in a high risk category for the flu.

So give it a break, will you? People have every right to be worried about this. Stop making us feel like we are stupid for doing so.

Well said. Hoping your little one is okay.

 

[dvm258]

Very bad news for Disney today:

The tourist from Mexico at Disney World tested positive for swine flu today in preliminary testing by the Florida Department of Health. The sample is being forwarded to the CDC for final confirmation, because only they are allowed to make the official call before it becomes a "confirmed" case, but at this point it's very certain that the flu has struck WDW. Especially after that high school band from South Carolina came back from Disney with the flu as well.

Of course, Disney is still avoiding comment until it becomes official, but I wonder what will be done. Will the parks close for a day or two for cleaning, or will they simply stay open?

 

[pax_65]

Will the parks close for a day or two for cleaning, or will they simply stay open?

Well, the parks get cleaned every night, right? And I wonder how long the virus can stay alive on a surface. I've heard "several hours" so I would imagine overnight would be sufficient.

At some point people are just going to have to accept this flu as part of life now. We're not going to control it, the horses have left the barn. It's going to be with us for months (at least) and probably years until it finally runs it's course. And it will run it's course when so many people have had it, there are many fewer people left to infect (or they will develop a vaccine to limit the number of people who can catch/spread it.)

Yeah, if you have a bad outbreak at a school you can shut the doors for a few days to try to limit the damage but I doubt Disney is going to close a park because one guest has the flu. We're talking a significant amount of $$$ there.

I could see Disney publishing some materials for guests that asks them not to come to the parks when sick and offers phone numbers for the Centro-Care Clinic so guests know where to get medical assistance while in the World. They might also ask to be notified when a guest is sick so that their room can be given an extra-good cleaning when they depart.

 

[unkadug]

There's always something to be careful about.

Last year it was crypto...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=335280

Don't forget about peanut butter, spinach, almonds, strawberries, alfalfa sprouts, mayonnaise, spices, pistachios...

 

[Uncle Lupe]

There's always something to be careful about.

Last year it was crypto...

The sign doesn't tell you not to take restroom breaks in the pool

 

[jmvd20]

The problem here is that the Swine Flu is not a definitive killer like the news would like us to believe. The bottom line is that it does indeed respond to treatments - thus the very healthy recovery rate of people who get ill.

Sorry, but I am not worried about the Swine Flu anymore than I am about being struck by lightning while hang gliding through a cave.

The vast majority of the people that have contracted it are sick for a few days and then recover.

This is *NOT* the end of the world or the rapture as some would like us all to believe.

 

[erstwo]

jmvd20 - I would respectfully argue that while the strain of flu found in the US - to date - has been very mild indeed.......

The very reason that the "nerds" at the World Health Organization (and other places) are so concerned about this virus is that it is not just killing the very young and the very old (typical of most flu viruses). Instead, may of its' earliest victims were otherwise healthy young adults. The WHO doesn't freak out for no reason.

Remember the Avian Flu? While the WHO issued warnings about travel to Asia, they didn't ever issue a worldwide pandemic alert - which seems probable at this point for the Swine Flu. I tend to believe that the WHO knows better than to "cry wolf." If they say pandemic, they mean pandemic.

Just my 2 cents.

I'll get my popcorn now.......

 

[Erika]

No matter how clean the parks are, as soon as they fill up with people, I think all bets are off. Unfortunately a lot of people always try to tough it out when sick and spread the wealth. Honestly I think we have these constant health alerts for the same reason my hair dryer has a label reading "do not use in the shower." Not everyone has good hygiene or common sense. My friend's coworker- an elementary school teacher- showed up to work with the non-swine flu a few days ago. I'm sure there will be parents there freaking out about sick kids very shortly, if not already.

And of course I do realize other people are contagious before they realize they are sick.

There's always something to be careful about.

Last year it was crypto...

Gross! We had a problem with that last year here in Phoenix too.

 

[Erika]

The sign doesn't tell you not to take restroom breaks in the pool

You found a loophole!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

jmvd20 - I would respectfully argue that while the strain of flu found in the US - to date - has been very mild indeed.......

The very reason that the "nerds" at the World Health Organization (and other places) are so concerned about this virus is that it is not just killing the very young and the very old (typical of most flu viruses). Instead, may of its' earliest victims were otherwise healthy young adults. The WHO doesn't freak out for no reason.

Remember the Avian Flu? While the WHO issued warnings about travel to Asia, they didn't ever issue a worldwide pandemic alert - which seems probable at this point for the Swine Flu. I tend to believe that the WHO knows better than to "cry wolf." If they say pandemic, they mean pandemic.

Just my 2 cents.

I'll get my popcorn now.......

Well here's my 2p:

The WHO is primarily a sudo political organisation with its own sets of agendas. Perhaps things have changed in the last 24 hours but having told all governments to man the Emergency Pandemic lifeboat how many actually did?

One telling question that you may have missed was that they were asked by a German journalist if given the severity of the picture she was painting would governments be breaking patents on drug production, which is legal under such states, to ensure production. She stated that the drug company had kindly sold licences. This is of course the same drug compant that has "donated" several millions of doses of vaccine for poor countries.

While folk may be worried about their family, they should ask themselves this, would they be worried to this extent by the normal winter/summer outbrakes, they both kill after all.

And of course any extra funding the WHO gets is purely coincidental. And having worked alongside NGA's I don't share your faith in their infallibility or professionalism.

And technically, AIDS, malaria, typhus etc etc a;ll constitute the WHOs criteria for pandemics.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

jmvd20 - I would respectfully argue that while the strain of flu found in the US - to date - has been very mild indeed.......

The very reason that the "nerds" at the World Health Organization (and other places) are so concerned about this virus is that it is not just killing the very young and the very old (typical of most flu viruses). Instead, may of its' earliest victims were otherwise healthy young adults. The WHO doesn't freak out for no reason.

Remember the Avian Flu? While the WHO issued warnings about travel to Asia, they didn't ever issue a worldwide pandemic alert - which seems probable at this point for the Swine Flu. I tend to believe that the WHO knows better than to "cry wolf." If they say pandemic, they mean pandemic.

Just my 2 cents.


I'll get my popcorn now.......

Again, here is a case of misunderstanding information. The WHO classification of pandemic has nothing to do with people dying, it is simply a measure of spread. As this has spread throughout North America, Europe and parts of Asia, it by definition is a pandemic. Not one person has to die.

See link for full explaination.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showpost.php?p=3500867&postcount=57

 

[Erika]

I think the WHO almost has to go a little overboard until they find out more. They don't really have the luxury of not taking it seriously in case it turns out to be worse than they thought- I think they are just covering their bases. The WHO website as of May 1st says "WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders." I wouldn't cancel a trip if I had one.

So far the confirmed cases here are all children, and thankfully, they appear to be only mildly sick. ERs here are clogged with patients who imagine they have the flu despite not having flu symptoms- I feel bad for anyone who has an actual emergency.

 

[MouseMadness]

No matter how clean the parks are, as soon as they fill up with people, I think all bets are off. Unfortunately a lot of people always try to tough it out when sick and spread the wealth. Honestly I think we have these constant health alerts for the same reason my hair dryer has a label reading "do not use in the shower." Not everyone has good hygiene or common sense. My friend's coworker- an elementary school teacher- showed up to work with the non-swine flu a few days ago. I'm sure there will be parents there freaking out about sick kids very shortly, if not already.

And of course I do realize other people are contagious before they realize they are sick.

Yes! I won't again about the girl hacking and sneezing all over the monorail 2 feet away from the baby our last trip (ok, maybe I will a tad :lookaroun )

I think the WHO almost has to go a little overboard until they find out more. They don't really have the luxury of not taking it seriously in case it turns out to be worse than they thought- I think they are just covering their bases. The WHO website as of May 1st says "WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders." I wouldn't cancel a trip if I had one.

So far the confirmed cases here are all children, and thankfully, they appear to be only mildly sick. ERs here are clogged with patients who imagine they have the flu despite not having flu symptoms- I feel bad for anyone who has an actual emergency.

And yes.

Last time I was in the ER there were signs up all over that said if you had flu like symptoms to please go to the doctor. (this was probably 2 years ago) Which a good lot of people think the ER IS their primary care doctor. :brick:

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I think the WHO almost has to go a little overboard until they find out more. They don't really have the luxury of not taking it seriously in case it turns out to be worse than they thought- I think they are just covering their bases. The WHO website as of May 1st says "WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders." I wouldn't cancel a trip if I had one.

So far the confirmed cases here are all children, and thankfully, they appear to be only mildly sick. ERs here are clogged with patients who imagine they have the flu despite not having flu symptoms- I feel bad for anyone who has an actual emergency.

If you have flu symptoms here you are being told to stay home and the docs will come out, or if worried contact NHS direct (a medical led call centre).

Still the Scottish couple have been released and it seems they have got Max Clifford PR Guru and all round slime ball to handle their story.

Cha ching.................

 

[tjkref418]

One of my primary concerns is that a lot has been made about the type of pesron who had been affected the most by the virus (particularly in Mexico). Most all reports are saying it affects "healty adults" with "good inmmune systems" as opposed to the normal flu targeting the very young and elderly the worst.

A couple of questions come to mind that I really don't have the answer to, and I am hoping some of you can help with (because I can't find the answers anywhere):

1. Isin't it usually other illness caused by a weakened immune system (and not the flu itself) that casues the most danger?

2. With so few confirmed deaths worldwide, is there a risk of falling into a small sample size issue and not having sufficent numbers to back up if the "healty adults being affected the most" claims are true?