ebola concerns

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

If the proper steps are followed, this should burn itself out and a lot will have been learned to prevent it next time.

Given that there have been zero reports of infections of the healthcare workers treating patients at Level 4 Biohazard treatment facilities, I think that says something about why there are infections in lesser facilities. While it is impossible to make every hospital a Lvl 4 facility, the rule should be to get any confirmed cases to such a facility for proper care.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Whoops. double post.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

If the proper steps are followed, this should burn itself out and a lot will have been learned to prevent it next time.

Given that there have been zero reports of infections of the healthcare workers treating patients at Level 4 Biohazard treatment facilities, I think that says something about why there are infections in lesser facilities. While it is impossible to make every hospital a Lvl 4 facility, the rule should be to get any confirmed cases to such a facility for proper care.

I agree, but the problem is there are a limited number of beds in the existing Level 4 facilities in the US. There are only 4 hospitals with the units in the US with a total of about a dozen beds combined. If there are cases that occur because of the travel of Amber Vinson, then the US could easily run out of beds in these facilities. Duncan should have been sent to a Level 4 unit immediately after being diagnosed and all medical personnel who were in contact with him should have been put on mandatory quarantine, not self-monitoring. But now, that's water under the bridge.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Based on a tweet I just saw from somebody sailing today, it looks like DCL has added questions about Ebola to the health questionnaire.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I agree, but the problem is there are a limited number of beds in the existing Level 4 facilities in the US. There are only 4 hospitals with the units in the US with a total of about a dozen beds combined. If there are cases that occur because of the travel of Amber Vinson, then the US could easily run out of beds in these facilities. Duncan should have been sent to a Level 4 unit immediately after being diagnosed and all medical personnel who were in contact with him should have been put on mandatory quarantine, not self-monitoring. But now, that's water under the bridge.

Yeah, I knew there aren't very many beds. I also agree that Duncan should have been sent to a more appropriate facility. It would be nice if they could build a large Lvl 4 facility somewhere, preferably in the middle of nowhere with it's own airstrip for patient delivery, but I'm sure that would be incredibly expensive. Maybe this mess will loosen the purse-strings.

 

[tee11]

I'm firmly believe in checking multiple sources for news. The detail in this story is similar to what CNN is reporting. The passenger in question is not experiencing any symptoms. He/she is a lab tech at Texas Presbyterian and may have handled his lab specimens. The lab specimens would have been handled 19 days ago, so this person is very close to the end of the 21 day incubation period. While the incubation period is considered to be 2 to 21 days, the average incubation is less than 10 days. So the risk here is very low.

However, that being said, I'm utterly dumbfounded at the missteps made by the hospital and its employees. Any employee that had contact with the patient or his lab samples should have been placed under quarantine until the incubation period was up. NO EXCEPTIONS. The nurse, Amber Vinson, should have known better than to get on a commercial plane and fly to Cleveland and then back after her exposure to Duncan and especially not after beginning to exhibit symptoms. They are now saying that based on interviews with her family members, she might have been exhibiting symptoms earlier than she has reported to authorities. Her travel is beyond irresponsible.

I'm not freaking out about this. I'm not stocking up on food, water, and protective suits. But I am concerned at the incompetent response and how that incompetence has placed other people at risk. The CDC seems to have its collective head up its butt on this. The personnel at Texas Presbyterian was not given the proper guidance, the proper equipment, or the proper protocols. There seem to be very common sense things that are being completely ignored in how this is being handled. And that does worry me because lack of common sense is what will end up spreading this infection.

Agree with this exactly!

We will be flying and cruising next week! I don't plan to do anything differently, other than maybe trying not to visit the tiny airplane bathroom. LOL! We always do a lot of hand sanitizers, wipes, etc. anyways, especially in flu season. My only hope is that the CMs will be after people with wipes at least as much as last time, and that they have wipes on entry to the kid's club!!!

However, as far as traveling in general is concerned, I think that it will really be telling, what the situation will look like in December, January, February. That's when the WHO projected they will have 10,000 new cases a week in West Africa, and the whole thing could reach a tipping point then. At that point, containment is truly paramount (already is), and help in form of enough equipment and treatment centers in the three countries must be in place... Also, will we have achieved zero cases then in the US and Europe? Will there be a new medication or vaccine? It could go a lot of different ways in the next months. I'm praying for the best.

 

[Off to Neverland 7]

I think there are more things to be scared of than Ebola. You and your family should be fine. Enjoy your vacation and have a great time!

 

[tee11]

The article I read said that none of the passengers from that ship were allowed to disembark.

I have heard different stories of Belize - one saying that no one was allowed to disembark, one saying that all were allowed to disembark, except this passenger and her husband.

However, Cozumel did not allow the Carnival Magic to dock at all, and the ship had to return to Galveston.

I will say, that I think that it was absolutely the right decision of both Belize and Mexico. They are not responsible for the oversights and laxity with which this has been handled here. Even though it appears she is symptom free and no risk, since her incubation period is almost up, it is not right, to drag other countries into this, because this was totally irresponsible in the first place.
Had she become symptomatic on the airport in Belize, you would have brought it to a new country, disrupted the country's airport completely, and had a whole new level of contract tracing from there. Same for Cozumel.
Just keep her in the cabin, and bring her back to Galveston. And hopefully, all will be well, and hopefully she and all decision makers will have learned from this...

 

[DahliaRW]

According to a reporter on the cruise, the ship did not dock in Belize:

The ship tried to dock in Belize, but the government wouldn't allow it. Mexico also turned the ship away. The cruise is now reportedly heading back to Texas.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/reporter-tweeting-photos-from-ebola-cruise-2014-10#ixzz3GXB4vRIw

 

[ilovetexas]

According to a reporter on the cruise, the ship did not dock in Belize:

I can't believe I'm wading into this thread but here goes:


The idiot that wrote that story, Pamela Engel, apparently can't read. As much as I HATE Twitter, I just read all the tweets from the reporter in question, Eric Lupher, and not once did he state they didn't get off the ship in Belize. It was Mexico that denied entry into Cozumel. Belize refused to allow the use of their airport to evacuate the person to the US.

As a matter of fact, if you do a little digging, there is a news story out of Denver that states "but when passengers returned Thursday night, Lupher said the ship didn't leave right away and there was no explanation why."
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...led-specimen-from-ebola-inflected-man10172014

This whole story makes me tired.

FYI...nobody "docks" in Belize. It's a tender port.

 

[tinkmom2]

I am more concerned over a kid rubbing his nose and then touching the buffet than I am about Ebola.

 

[RHSTigerMom]

I'd be more worried about Norovirus.

 

[Bear3412]

Here is the email we received for a sailing leaving 10/25/14 Fantasy;

October 19, 2014

Reservation #: XXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXX,

At Disney Cruise Line, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our Guests and Crew Members. Therefore, we want to provide you with some important information about the check-in process for your cruise vacation.

As you may be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 travel notice for U.S. citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and is actively tracking close contacts of those who may have been exposed to Ebola in the United States.

We want to take a moment to assure Guests that we do not have any Crew Members from these countries onboard our ships. In addition, we actively screen all new and returning Crew regarding their recent travel history and close contacts prior to boarding. In an abundance of caution, we have decided to extend this screening to our Guests.

If you or a member of your stateroom party have traveled to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone or have been in direct physical contact (having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact) with a confirmed or suspected Ebola case within 60 days prior to the start of your cruise vacation, please contact us at 1-866-325-2112.

Additionally, to expedite the boarding process, all other Guests are asked to print and complete the attached Travel History and Health Questionnaire for your stateroom party and bring it with you to check in for your cruise.

We look forward to your arrival and appreciate your cooperation and understanding regarding the importance of this added measure.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

New Health Questionnaire; https://doc-14-14-docs.googleuserco...2930055&hash=bj2n14mc3n99b55g8r8maichl0rbcrag

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Here is the email we received for a sailing leaving 10/25/14 Fantasy;

October 19, 2014

Reservation #: XXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXX,

At Disney Cruise Line, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our Guests and Crew Members. Therefore, we want to provide you with some important information about the check-in process for your cruise vacation.

As you may be aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 travel notice for U.S. citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and is actively tracking close contacts of those who may have been exposed to Ebola in the United States.

We want to take a moment to assure Guests that we do not have any Crew Members from these countries onboard our ships. In addition, we actively screen all new and returning Crew regarding their recent travel history and close contacts prior to boarding. In an abundance of caution, we have decided to extend this screening to our Guests.

If you or a member of your stateroom party have traveled to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone or have been in direct physical contact (having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact) with a confirmed or suspected Ebola case within 60 days prior to the start of your cruise vacation, please contact us at 1-866-325-2112.

Additionally, to expedite the boarding process, all other Guests are asked to print and complete the attached Travel History and Health Questionnaire for your stateroom party and bring it with you to check in for your cruise.

We look forward to your arrival and appreciate your cooperation and understanding regarding the importance of this added measure.

Sincerely,

The Cast and Crew
Disney Cruise Line

New Health Questionnaire; https://bf1-attach.ymail.com/us.f14...37&partner=ymail&sig=3iQ0vUWG14IZ65mBtMmaPg--

Link doesn't work for me

 

[lbgraves]

Scott posted it.

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2014/10/disney-cruise-line-now-screening-ebola/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Scott posted it.

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2014/10/disney-cruise-line-now-screening-ebola/

Thanks.