I'm Sure Most of You Have Heard But In Case You Haven't (MERS)

[andyman8]

That MERS virus is in Orlando. I'm not trying to ruin your vacation or anything (no flames please) but just be extra careful these next couple weeks. Right now they're saying this is just being transmitted on a first-hand basis (person to infected person contacted) but anything could change so just remember to wash your hands! Don't want to bring home any unwanted souvenirs.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

That MERS virus is in Orlando. I'm not trying to ruin your vacation or anything (no flames please) but just be extra careful these next couple weeks. Right now they're saying this is just being transmitted on a first-hand basis (person to infected person contacted) but anything could change so just remember to wash your hands! Don't want to bring home any unwanted souvenirs.

This seems a little alarmist to me. There's one case in a healthcare worker who contracted it in the Middle East. The two hospital workers who were in contact with him and had developed flu-like symptoms were tested and found not to have the virus. It's not like this virus is running rampant through Orlando.

 

[WDIFanBoy]

I worked at EPCOT when the Swine Flu was at it's height in Orlando. I sanitised my hands after every single transaction with a guest. Thinking about all those people from ALL OVER THE WORLD carrying a lot of different things. It's really not that hard to understand how it can spread very quickly.

No need to wear a mouth mask, but definitely be cautious when drinking from public water fountains and whatever you do... DON'T SWIM IN THE WATER OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...

 

[Laketravis]

... DON'T SWIM IN THE WATER OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...

Sound advice no matter what the topic

 

[asmit4]

Thank you for the info. I did not know that a patient had this in Orlando. It's good to know!

 

[katt789]

From what I heard there was 2 confirmed cases of it in Orlando
We'll definitely be bringing hand sanitizer and using it, and making sure to wash hands & such more often this time around!

 

[mistysue]

No need to wear a mouth mask, but definitely be cautious when drinking from public water fountains and whatever you do... DON'T SWIM IN THE WATER OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...

But they are closing the Poly pool! How else are we supposed to cool off?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

From what I heard there was 2 confirmed cases of it in Orlando
We'll definitely be bringing hand sanitizer and using it, and making sure to wash hands & such more often this time around!

There is one confirmed case. Two hospital workers that developed flu-like symptoms after contact with the patient with the confirmed case have tested negative for the virus.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/5/14/mers_in_florida.html

There is a second case of MERS in the US but it is in Indiana. And it was also a healthcare worker who had been working in the Middle East.

 

[PinkBudgie]

My June trip was the first thing I thought of when I heard the news. I'm not going to cancel my trip or anything but I don't feel I'm being alarmist to make sure we are extra careful about hand washing, touching our faces and food, and trying to avoid people who seem sick. MERS is very serious. Of course the media loves to play these things up so that people will keep tuning in to hear more. But these things start somewhere (think of all those people on the plane with him in recycled air for hours) and I hope they can nip this in the bud.

 

[AmyB2006]

Sound advice no matter what the topic

Like Like Like Like Like

They need a "like" button on the DIS.

 

[TaiTai1]

Good information, and always good to be prepared. However, my hubby and I were there last week and both of us picked up an awful upper respiratory flu. I know it is going through the whole WDW, because I could hear people with "the cough" everywhere... parks, restaurants, monorail, balconies as I was sitting out, pool, etc. So, even if it isn't MERS (and I don't think it is), there is still an awful upper respiratory flu going around! And yes, we were very careful about hand washing and hand sanitizing!

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

Yikes. I've been hearing about MERS. I'll wash my hands as often as possible. I already do that at home.

 

[think-like-tink]

I wanted to wash my hands after just hearing the report this morning.

I told DH we are starting vitamins TODAY and keep taking them. I am also going to get some clorox wipes for our room upon entering. AND drilling it into my kids heads about not touching our faces after we have touched something. I send them to school with a little bottle of sanitizer, they are suppose to use it after they sneeze, cough, etc.* But, I am sure it doesn't happen all the time.


Germs are bad mmmkay.

 

[Bob P]

What's all this fuss about MEARS SHUTTLES causing sickness????



(Sorry...couldn't resist...)

 

[DOOM1001]

Yesterday I drove by Dr Phillips hospital on Turkey Lake rd and held my breath just in case.Seriously I'm not going to stress out about this.

 

[jsh1975]

I worked at EPCOT when the Swine Flu was at it's height in Orlando. I sanitised my hands after every single transaction with a guest. Thinking about all those people from ALL OVER THE WORLD carrying a lot of different things. It's really not that hard to understand how it can spread very quickly.

No need to wear a mouth mask, but definitely be cautious when drinking from public water fountains and whatever you do... DON'T SWIM IN THE WATER OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN...

Have there been cases of people trying to swim in that ride?

 

[handicap18]

Yesterday I drove by Dr Phillips hospital on Turkey Lake rd and held my breath just in case.Seriously I'm not going to stress out about this.

Ditto. 300+ million people in the United States and 1 person has a confirmed case of MERS.

The CDC said it is not an airborne disease. To get it you have to be in very close contact with someone else who has it. Basically you have to get bodily fluid from the person who has it.

You have a better chance of hitting the $300 million Lottery than getting MERS while in the Orlando area.

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks a bunch for giving all the germaphobes an excuse to fly into a totally unnecessary tizzy. ONE case of MERS in Orlando who was treated in hospital and has now been released. ONE. And this requires a PSA??? Completely alarmist.

WDW is a seething cesspool of germs at the best of times, thanks to the questionable personal hygiene practices of many of its guests. So proper handwashing should be second nature to anyone who visits at any time of the year. However, this practice should be no different than when you visit a mall, school or any other public facililty.

 

[lugnut33]

Does that mean I should stop licking the lean rails?

 

[surferdave]

Stay out of the damn lakes.