Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[disneyfan55]

Per WFTV:

Swine Flu Case Confirmed In Orlando
Posted: 10:41 am EDT April 28, 2009
Updated: 10:56 am EDT April 28, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned of Orlando's first confirmed case of swine flu. According to the chief medical officer at Florida Hospital, Loran Hauck, the case was diagnosed Tuesday morning.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," Hauck wrote in an email obtained by Eyewitness News.

No further details have been released, but Eyewitness News is working to learn specifically what days the tourist was at the parks and which park the tourist went to.

Details about the tourist, beyond being from Mexico, have not been released.

Yes, I just heard this on FOX. WE are leaving on Fri for WDW and my husband was wondering about all this. I'm sure things will be fine. Disney is pretty good on cleaning things and hopefully all will be ok there when we visit.

 

[hockeymomNS]

Another NAFTA success story!

???????

 

[luckytobeme88]

This new development couldn't be more heart-hardening. I will be praying for all.

 

[DisneyNewbiie]

Per WFTV:

Swine Flu Case Confirmed In Orlando
Posted: 10:41 am EDT April 28, 2009
Updated: 10:56 am EDT April 28, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned of Orlando's first confirmed case of swine flu. According to the chief medical officer at Florida Hospital, Loran Hauck, the case was diagnosed Tuesday morning.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," Hauck wrote in an email obtained by Eyewitness News.

No further details have been released, but Eyewitness News is working to learn specifically what days the tourist was at the parks and which park the tourist went to.

Details about the tourist, beyond being from Mexico, have not been released.

I dont believe it till I see it here http://www.cdc.gov/ yesterday news cast were claimg there were reported cases in new states and it turned out to be false.CDC said that if you dont see it ont the sight then dont worry.They made the site to counter any rumors.Not saying your lying just saying not till I see it there.

 

[katytrott]

The media is in a no-win situation. Some will say they fear monger, but if they don't report on this, and it explodes, then they failed in their journalistic duty. I suppose it's all in the style of the reporting.

Totaly agree. BBC news here is doing a good job of giving us the facts from what the CDC, WHO, US and UK Governments etc are saying. Also, very regularly they are telling people what they can do prevent the spread eg hygiene etc. We all know this here, but plenty of numbskulls out there who don't know the first thing about hygiene, and need to know.

 

[dawgsgirl]

It was bound to happen. Imagine living in Mexico City and your kids get an unexpected break from school. There is a nasty virus going around. Wouldn't you leave town if you could???

 

[famsen]

Did anybody think there wouldn't be cases in Orlando or any other large cities in the U.S.? This doesn't surprise me. There will be cases in every state eventually just like there are cases of the seasonal influenza strains every year. I don't see the difference if I am at a mall in suburban Chicago after someone visited and had flu or if I am at Disney World after someone who visited had it.
Again, no one in the U.S. who has contracted it has died or has even been in critical condition (thank goodness). CNN reported today that the fatalities in Mexico City are going down compared to the number of people who have contracted it.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is reporting from WITHIN THE HOSPITALS CARING FOR PATIENTS in Mexico City. He is not afraid and he has not gotten it. He said most of the people watching CNN will never contract swine flu.

 

[DisneyNewbiie]

I was watching CNN this morning and they were talking to residents in mexico city were they thought this came from alarming most people said UNITED STATES!!!!!Now Im mexican and have family in mexico and talk to them dailey
They know some of the people that died.What my aunt said to me is most people that get sick there have no money or simply dont go to get checked and the few people she knew that died did not got any medical attention right away.I dont know maybe that is one of the main reasons for deaths there vs here.

 

[katytrott]

Just seen on BBC news 24 that the Orlando tourist has been confirmed

 

[drcandon]

I normally don't weigh in heavily on this type of topic except for Norwalk type viruses and prevantative measures come in...this one is a bit different...

Whether this flu will be the next pandemic is yet to be seen...if you are nervous go to the CDC's web site or better still the WHO's website and of course the health website of your specific country as well...for us Canadian folks google health canada and the first hit should be what you are looking for..

All the speculation in the world - means nothing...this virus could die tomorrow or could mutate into the last great pandenmic..

There are a couple of very simple reasons why the folks in the "know" are both panicking and also being cautious at the same time...

First is simply the world is a small place these days..the infections are now in New Zealand..in the countries of the world that have poorer health care as soon as it hits their shores - and it will -depending on that countries readiness it could be devastating or a whimper...NO ONE KNOWS. It is therefore prudent to raise the level to 4 and perhaps higher in the next few days or weeks...lets face it how longs does it actually take to circle the globe by plane?..in reality that is the minimum time for a pandemic to erupt.

...and, for right now, this has nothing to do with the number of cases, but on the ability of the virus to do its work, before a virus inhibitor can be brought to the masses to stop the little guy..which brings me to the second point..

A virus is the simplest machine in the world..it barely rates as alive..basically all it does in the simpler forms is reproduce itself...unfortunately for us complex beings that is where the problem starts .. and in the more deadly viruses, ends..as it reproduces - it destroys, in making perfect little copies of itself..

we stop or kill viruses by interfering with that process and in turn the virus responds by trying to mutate to stop that prevention or interference..and thus the cycle goes on and on..this is a DRASTIC oversimplification of the process, but serves to show why the flu shot sorta works the next year..The only problem is we are always reacting to what already happened and the virus is already trying to figure out how to overcome the problem...so as the WHO and others work frantically to make an antibody for this little pest, they are already behind..now the only thing that makes the WHO and all counties quiver is when the little virus spontaneoulsy mutuates into something unknown and becomes more contagious and infectious ( different creatures) then before - or worse when it jumps species - or hides in a species the resurfaces...

My point is..the viruses main goal in its "life" if you can call it that is to survive - any way it can..and these little pests are really good at that..a benefit from only having one thing to "think" of...

Now all of this, as I said is a very very drastic oversimplification of how these guys work..google viruses and read for yourself..they really are a true miracle..just not a nice one...

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

lets just hope that this does not cause a huge panic where anyone with a stuffy nose freaks out and runs to thier local er.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

First is simply the world is a small place these days..the infections are now in New Zealand..in the countries of the world that have poorer health care as soon as it hits their shores - and it will -depending on that countries readiness it could be devastating or a whimper...NO ONE KNOWS. It is therefore prudent to raise the level to 4 and perhaps higher in the next few days or weeks...lets face it how longs does it actually take to circle the globe by plane?..in reality that is the minimum time for a pandemic to erupt.

This is a great point. The reason the WHO needed to go to level 4 is not because of countries like the United States. Chances are we are more than equipped to handle this, and everyone will be fine. The level 4 status is indicative of the concern they have that this will hit the 3rd world countries who don't have health care, let alone Tamiflu to battle this. Once this gets to these countries it will kill many.

The "levels" are put in place by the World Health Organization, and it is based on the entire world. Just because something has gone to Level 4 doesn't mean it is necessarily worse for you specifically, it means it is worse for the greater world.

 

[doho95fu]

This is a great point. The reason the WHO needed to go to level 4 is not because of countries like the United States. Chances are we are more than equipped to handle this, and everyone will be fine. The level 4 status is indicative of the concern they have that this will hit the 3rd world countries who don't have health care, let alone Tamiflu to battle this. Once this gets to these countries it will kill many.

The "levels" are put in place by the World Health Organization, and it is based on the entire world. Just because something has gone to Level 4 doesn't mean it is necessarily worse for you specifically, it means it is worse for the greater world.

Unfortunately, the US has very much to do with the decision. We have the second most confirmed cases in the world and a much larger number of both international travelers and potential points of contact. In my opinion there is absolutely nothing to conclude based on the fact that as of now the cases in the US are mild in comparison to the cases in Mexico, based on how viruses mutate and the unknowns regarding the true infected population in Mexico vs. the reported cases.

 

[Tbelle1976]

I was the one who posted about the one case of Swine Flu in Ohio comes from the town in which I live, and at my childrens school. Well, there are probably now 2 more cases in a city just about 10 minutes from where I live. They say that the test results should be done later today.

 

[ntsammy5]

 

[luvthemouse71]

Totaly agree. BBC news here is doing a good job of giving us the facts from what the CDC, WHO, US and UK Governments etc are saying. Also, very regularly they are telling people what they can do prevent the spread eg hygiene etc. We all know this here, but plenty of numbskulls out there who don't know the first thing about hygiene, and need to know.

ITA, and these numbskulls are a big part of the problem..you know how many people still don't do something as basic as washing their hands after using the toilet? I've seen old guys around here blow their nose by putting one finger against a nostril and letting loose all over the sidewalk..let's not even talk about the spitters.

Look at that idiot that had TB and didn't say anything because he was on his honeymoon..he tried playing the lawyer card when they wanted to quarantine him. There are some real morons out there.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I hate to cause an argument or usually even join in, but in this case I will. Apparantly this is a strain of the H1N1 virus that comes along every year, so most of us won't be badly affected by it and those that are should be able to get anti-virals to treat it. The bird flu of a year or so ago was a strain of H5N1 which is not your run of the mill virus and therefore a lot more dangerous.

Any variant of the flu virus can kill and this one is no different. I'm not being complacent and I urge you not to be either, but a mass panic and everyone calling in sick for a sniffle will do no good whatsoever. Normal handwashing and good sanitary awareness will do you more good than buying alcohol gel and the like.

By the way I agree the majority of deaths in Mexico have been in the 20 - 50 age range, not in children, the elderly or the infirm, but this means nothing and you should ensure that all your family wash properly.

Actually, This one may be a strain of H1N1, but being that it's a mix of swine, human and bird influenza, none of us have an immunity to it. Even if we've had a similar strain..this is one reason why the flu shot for this year will not do anything against the swine flu. This particular strain is new to the scientists. Thankfully, the Tamiflu does work,, and right now, there seems to be enough. Also, don't forget that these thing mutate.

I agree that you have to use judgement when calling in sick or taking kids out of school, but if there is fever involved, stay home.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I normally don't weigh in heavily on this type of topic except for Norwalk type viruses and prevantative measures come in...this one is a bit different...

Whether this flu will be the next pandemic is yet to be seen...if you are nervous go to the CDC's web site or better still the WHO's website and of course the health website of your specific country as well...for us Canadian folks google health canada and the first hit should be what you are looking for..

All the speculation in the world - means nothing...this virus could die tomorrow or could mutate into the last great pandenmic..

There are a couple of very simple reasons why the folks in the "know" are both panicking and also being cautious at the same time...

First is simply the world is a small place these days..the infections are now in New Zealand..in the countries of the world that have poorer health care as soon as it hits their shores - and it will -depending on that countries readiness it could be devastating or a whimper...NO ONE KNOWS. It is therefore prudent to raise the level to 4 and perhaps higher in the next few days or weeks...lets face it how longs does it actually take to circle the globe by plane?..in reality that is the minimum time for a pandemic to erupt.

...and, for right now, this has nothing to do with the number of cases, but on the ability of the virus to do its work, before a virus inhibitor can be brought to the masses to stop the little guy..which brings me to the second point..

A virus is the simplest machine in the world..it barely rates as alive..basically all it does in the simpler forms is reproduce itself...unfortunately for us complex beings that is where the problem starts .. and in the more deadly viruses, ends..as it reproduces - it destroys, in making perfect little copies of itself..

we stop or kill viruses by interfering with that process and in turn the virus responds by trying to mutate to stop that prevention or interference..and thus the cycle goes on and on..this is a DRASTIC oversimplification of the process, but serves to show why the flu shot sorta works the next year..The only problem is we are always reacting to what already happened and the virus is already trying to figure out how to overcome the problem...so as the WHO and others work frantically to make an antibody for this little pest, they are already behind..now the only thing that makes the WHO and all counties quiver is when the little virus spontaneoulsy mutuates into something unknown and becomes more contagious and infectious ( different creatures) then before - or worse when it jumps species - or hides in a species the resurfaces...

My point is..the viruses main goal in its "life" if you can call it that is to survive - any way it can..and these little pests are really good at that..a benefit from only having one thing to "think" of...

Now all of this, as I said is a very very drastic oversimplification of how these guys work..google viruses and read for yourself..they really are a true miracle..just not a nice one...

Awesome post..look, I really hope this all turns out to be nothing. I'm just of the mindset that it can't hurt to be prepared and to educate myself on this. I don't have a problem with the news reporting on this because I feel we should kmow what's going on. If anything, I think the true scope of this is being played down somewhat.

 

[Brer Shay]

Not sure if this is a few pages back or not, but drudgereport is reporting that there has been a confirmed case this morning of a tourist from Mexico at Disneyworld with this flu.

 

[Cruella 66]

Swine flu is now visiting the Mouse??? Oh my.... Quick everyone cancel their trip...NOT. Going in June and really hope this lightens the crowd AND keeps the international tourists at bay...