Flu - anyone worried how it will affect vacation

[Simba's Mom]

Well, DH just called me from work about this flu. He feels just like the guy in the Superbowl commercial of years past. "How are you going to handle this swine flu situation?" "I'm going to Disney World!" I think that means that right now he's not panicking as long as he can still go to WDW next week.

 

[lugnut33]

Heading down this Thursday and not worried at all. Only thing that worries me is a kneejerk reaction from the airlines.

What does have me worried is wife has a class trip planned for mid-June in Costa Rica, but the plane flies through Mexico City.

 

[Ed T]

First reported case in Florida and guess where? You got it WDW. see article


Orlando's WFTV news is reporting Florida's first confirmed case of swine flu.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," chief medical officer for Adventist Health System, Loran Hauck said.

 

[erionm]

First reported case in Florida and guess where? You got it WDW. see article


Orlando's WFTV news is reporting Florida's first confirmed case of swine flu.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," chief medical officer for Adventist Health System, Loran Hauck said.

It has not been confirmed as swine flu. Samples have been sent to a lab for testing. Results will take at least 48 hours.

 

[5forDiz]

Just FYI, posting link to this just posted thread re case at WDW.... test results are still pending

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2161741

This link is hospital noting that what tv station is reporting as an actual case, is in fact, still unconfirmed

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ne-flu-central-florida-042809,0,4733584.story

 

[BEASLYBOO]

My plan is not to panic.

I also think anyone who is smart enough to look for the symptoms is also smart enough to get to a hospital or doctor and get the Tamiflu meds (which is supposed to be quite effective for this strain).

Totally agree.

Unfortunately, the reason there are so many deaths in Mexico is that people there are not fortunate enough to have access to the medical services that we have. With these warnings, now everyone can be proactive and get to the doctor and get treatment as soon as symptoms arise.

It's all very scary but panicking won't help anything or anyone.

 

[Tara]

They will just have to understand....this is a national crisis, not just like you don't want them over for the heck of it......

Well, with all due respect, I hardly think this is a national crisis. Cause for concern, yes. Something to monitor, yes. But national crisis, no. There are 50 known cases in this country and no fatalities (possibly 51 if this Orlando case is confirmed). To put that in perspective, the CDC reports 55 pediatric deaths in the 2008-2009 influenza season. And that's just children, and not total infection rate.

That said, I wouldn't let people just traveling from Mexico in my house the day after they got back, either. It isn't a wedding or a funeral or some other once-in-a-lifetime event; it's a child's birthday and there'll be another one next year.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well, with all due respect, I hardly think this is a national crisis. Cause for concern, yes. Something to monitor, yes. But national crisis, no. There are 50 known cases in this country and no fatalities (possibly 51 if this Orlando case is confirmed). To put that in perspective, the CDC reports 55 pediatric deaths in the 2008-2009 influenza season. And that's just children, and not total infection rate.

That said, I wouldn't let people just traveling from Mexico in my house the day after they got back, either. It isn't a wedding or a funeral or some other once-in-a-lifetime event; it's a child's birthday and there'll be another one next year.

I guess we differ on the definition of "national crisis"...no, we are not getting nuked. However, when the CDC invokes an emergency situation which will release necessary funds needed for potential healthcare related financial disasters (extra medications, healthcare equipt. etc), I would put this on the scale of a national crisis. There could be devastating financial ramifications from this should the spread of the virus continue.

 

[twinklebug]

Well, with all due respect, I hardly think this is a national crisis. Cause for concern, yes. Something to monitor, yes. But national crisis, no. There are 50 known cases in this country and no fatalities (possibly 51 if this Orlando case is confirmed). To put that in perspective, the CDC reports 55 pediatric deaths in the 2008-2009 influenza season. And that's just children, and not total infection rate.

That said, I wouldn't let people just traveling from Mexico in my house the day after they got back, either. It isn't a wedding or a funeral or some other once-in-a-lifetime event; it's a child's birthday and there'll be another one next year.

Not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone, just pointing out it's establishing a foothold here: Up to 64 confirmed cases in the US as of this afternoon. From CDC.gov :

Keep in mind, these are just those that are reported - There may be an equal or greater number of folk feeling the effects of this flu but unable to take time to, or are willing to, get it checked out. I think we just have to ride it out as a rare summer flu season. No one wants the flu. Keep those hands washes and don't sneeze/cough on anyone!

 

[barlitz]

I was diagnosed with food poisoning, still waiting on a few more tests, well don't eat at the ESPN club on the Boardwalk that was the last meal I had, it was a late lunch after walking back from Epcot and that was it, I'm kind of pi**ed off I lost the last 2 days of our trip because of this.

 

[JerJan]

I just saw on our local news WJW (CLEVELAND, OHIO) 3 more suspected cases in Northeast Ohio and one local school closed......hmmmm, I wish this much attention could be paid to solving our current economic crisis!

 

[DISHUD]

You can add Indiana to the confirmed swine flue case count.
I just saw it on the local news that a Notre Dame student has just been diagnosed.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm concerned. Our vacation is with the family and the DGC just seem to pick everything up in school. DH's job takes him to the Texas/Mexican boarder Brownsville/Matamoros next week. I wish he wouldn't go, but he will, and says he will be careful.

This vacation is WDW/DCL 3 night cruise/WDW...I am glad that we bought the trip insurance for the cruise. That's the most out of pocket expense.

Bobbi

 

[kimberh]

We are suppose to leave on Sunday for 5 days. I will say that I am concerned. I have 3 members of my family with Asthma. So far, Swine flu is not in our state. I sure will not be the one to bring it back. I have to think about this trip, it is just a trip! I can't replace my family. I have a new granddaughter, she sure can't handle being exposed to it.

Well, the news just said... that they are waiting for tests to come back for 6 college students that had Spring Break in Mexico. What in the world happened to the Travel Advisory put out by the State Department to not travel to Mexico for Spring Break due to all the Gang activity?

 

[wildernessDad]

By the way, there are roughly 63,730 deaths from flu per year in the United States. I hope this puts the Swine flu outbreak in perspective.

 

[wildernessDad]

Darn double post glitch...

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I'm not the least bit worried about catching the swine flu now or in the next week or so. I am concerned that it may spread and become about as virulent as the 1918 flu was during that pandemic. Not as scary as bird flu by a long shot (unless this is a swine flu that mutates by combining with an avian strain or something), since I don't believe a 1918 level of flu would crash our infrastructure (grocery stores running out, no gas, no household power, completely overwhelmed health care, etc). But the next few weeks will determine how virulent and widespread this strain will be, and if it heads toward the 1918 level, I won't be going to Orlando, as planned, in May. I'm not feeling at all panicky, since I think we can all handle a 1918 level flu if it comes, but I am feeling the need to be watchful, cautious and to limit unnecessary exposure to a strain significantly more dangerous than seasonal flu.

 

[rcmsfeb04]

Overreacting. Unless they are headed there to work on a farm, or they are for some reason immunosuppressed.

While the CDC has said "U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico." I wouldn't worry. I wouldn't hesitate to leave today for Cancun, if I could.

johno

jco_direwolf...I LOVE the way you think! Thank you for posting.

Also,
Does any one else feel like the media is blowing this out of proportion? I am a little irritated with them and have vowed to read/watch less of the 24 hour media (panic) cycle. The last straw for me was today at lunch when I opened Drudge and the first thing I read in red font was Swine Flu Orlando/Disney. I think they are being irresponsible, they are reporting on this like it's the end of the world.

 

[kimberh]

I'm not the least bit worried about catching the swine flu now or in the next week or so. I am concerned that it may spread and become about as virulent as the 1918 flu was during that pandemic. Not as scary as bird flu by a long shot (unless this is a swine flu that mutates by combining with an avian strain or something), since I don't believe a 1918 level of flu would crash our infrastructure (grocery stores running out, no gas, no household power, completely overwhelmed health care, etc). But the next few weeks will determine how virulent and widespread this strain will be, and if it heads toward the 1918 level, I won't be going to Orlando, as planned, in May. I'm not feeling at all panicky, since I think we can all handle a 1918 level flu if it comes, but I am feeling the need to be watchful, cautious and to limit unnecessary exposure to a strain significantly more dangerous than seasonal flu.

My Great-Grandmother lost her husband and two sons in the 1918 flu pandemic. It is even on their tombstones. Died of Influensia. This was a deadly flu, I saw it on the History Channel. If, this flu becomes deadly like that flu, we need to all stay home. I know this will not be good for the World economy, but...

 

[jco_direwolf]

jco_direwolf...I LOVE the way you think! Thank you for posting.

Thank you. And yes I think it's way over blown. But then I believe the CDC, and the Public Health Service are awesome.

24 hours later, and I'm still not worried.

johno