Swine Flu in Mexico

www.cdc.gov

current advisories

Get Tamiflu from your MD so no worries...

MSNBC is reporting that the State Department in getting ready to issue a travel warning to Mexico. We were in Cancun a month ago and I feel terrible for the service people that were so wonderful to us during our stay. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

The European Union is recommending that its citizens make only essential travel to Mexico and the United States.

Here is the latest announcement from the CDC:
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx

Here is the latest from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City:
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_warden_090425update_FluOutbreak.html

Now the poor souls had an earthquake.. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_earthquake

fyi- the advisory against Mexico travel has just been issued

WASHINGTON – U.S. officials advised Americans against most travel to Mexico on Monday as a swine flu virus that began there spread to the United States and beyond. With 40 cases now reported in the United States, President Barack Obama said there was reason for concern but not yet "a cause for alarm."

Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, said that so far the disease in the United States seems less severe than the outbreak in Mexico, where more than 1,600 cases have been reported and where the suspected death toll has climbed to 149. No deaths have been reported in the U.S, and only one hospitalization.

"I wouldn't be overly reassured by that," Besser told reporters at CDC's headquarters in Atlanta. He raised the possibility of more severe cases in the United States.

in Puerto Vallarta, they closed the nightclubs this week

quovadis-

Are you promoting Tamilflu as a prophylaxis? I thought it was only indicated if you were truly diagnosed with Influenza, and not as either a prophylaxis or treatment for other non-flu adenovirus infections

I hope this blows over soon. I have a trip to Cabo planned for mid May and just don't feel like the situation is serious enough to cancel. Am I just naive or do others feel this way too?

I'm thinking he means fill a Tamiflu prescription so that you can easily take it at the first sign of the flu. At least I hope that's what he means...

get trip insurance, and make sure the fine print covers this. Or, pay extra for a "cancel for any reason" rider, always good during hurricane season.

laura~ Go to the Cabo forum over at Trip Advisor. There's lots of people in your exact same situation, and lost of discussion about this topic.

I'm going to Akumal (south of Cancun) in one week and nothing is getting between me and my margaritas! I'll see my Dr. about getting a Rx for Tamiflu.

I do not think qwovadis is promoting Tamiflu prophylaxis as such....however you CAN use it as a prophylaxis .

let me make a comment about Tamiflu:


I always take Tamiflu with me.....only used it once in Alice Springs( the Outback ) in Australia.

Wish I would have had taken it with me when I was in Alexandria Egypt...as I got the flu here on the last day of my holidays...what a long,tired ,sick plane ride it was coming home !

The drug is not cheap.....but it has a 5 years shelf life.

Yes,you can take Tamiflu BEFORE your trip.

1.It comes in a 75 mgm capsule ( half yellow ,half grey)

2. To try to prevent the Flu before a trip...you take one 75 mgm capsule once a day for SEVEN Days.

3. To treat the Flu once you have it ...you take 75 mgm twice a day for 5 days. (That is why there are 10 capsules in a box )

4. BUT if you get the flu or better still if you feel the flu coming on... you MUST take the capsule within 40- 48 hours of the onset of your symptoms

5.If you do not take the pills in this time interval ....then save your money...it will not help much ( if at all after that !!)

6. I will tell you why !

7. Once the virus infects your cell...it replicates ( doubles itself)....this goes on very quickly...and you start feeling sick.

8. BUT in order for the virus to keep moving to other cells it requires and enzyme called Neuraminidase (this is easly available right on the new viral particle....

so the virus goes on infecting cell after cell... BUT !! guess what Tamiflu does !

Yes !!!it inhibits this enzymes that is so vital for the virus to keep infecting your other cells.

Now you can see that the earlier you STOP this process, the better off for you....so you have to stop this infecting process within 40 to 48 hours....

after 48 hours,it is like trying to stop a leak in a Dam with gum!!

I always take Tamiflu with me ...winter or summer holidays ,like I said it is good for 5 years.

Doctors were on the news tonight saying they hope people DON'T take Tamiflu as a preventative because that will cause further problems. Just like people taking antibiotics every thime they have a sniffle has caused certain strains of infections to become resistant to the antibiotics, taking Tamiful "just becaue" could cause the same thing to happen to the fllu.

and it will deplete the already limited supplies of the medecine, so that folks who are truly sick won't have any when they need it.

I have no idea why a doctor would say he hopes people do not use Tamiflu.

It has been extensively studied in both Canada and the USA and IS approved for prophylaxis.

Some bacterial have mutated over time and become resistant to the action of certain antibiotics....

This is NOT the case for tamiflu... the virus can and doses mutate BUT it still requires neuraminidase.

Let me explaina little:

Viruses are divided into many subtypes on the basis of TWO proteins on their surface.

The "H" proteins is hemagglutinin and this is where the "H" comes in .

The "N component" is for NEURAMINIDASE.

Therefore when the experts say on the news that the strain is
H1N2 or H3N2.......they are giving you the subtype..

however, in any case, the N is for Neuraminidase, which Tamiflu inhibits.!

Now as I said Tamiflu is only slightly beneficial once you are infected.

In reality ...it will reduce your sick time by about 2 days at most.

BUT, where it helps most importantly is that it REDUCES the severity of your symptoms.... so though you are still sick, you are not totally wiped out !!

Right now ( if you could get it ) a Flu vaccine shot will do nothing for the Swine Flu.

Vaccines are created from antigens (and other substances) that stimulate the production of antibodies (against this antigen) when it is introduced into your body.

There is no vaccine right now to protect you against the HN subtype of the swine Flu !

I disagree with Percy's recommendation. The concern is one of supply. If individuals start stockpiling Tamiflu for prevention use, where will it be for treatment when it's needed? No one lives for travel more than I do, but society's needs in a possible public health emergency take priority in my book.

The typical pharmacy stocks maybe one or two boxes of Tamiflu outside of normal flu season, and maybe not even that. This is not aspirin where you keep an entire shelf of the product. Given that Tamiflu turned out to be less effective against the routine strains of flu this past flu season, that's why I say "and maybe not even that." So if someone else who goes to your pharmacy beats you to that one bos, you have to wait. In a community pharmacy, you dispense a prescription item and it gets reordered from the wholesaler or distribution center for the next day, but if there's some kind of run on the product, I could see it being back-ordered.

There's also the matter of Tamiflu's side effects. All in all, they're not bad, but about 10 percent of adults who take it develop nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. It's slightly higher with kids. Not an unsubstantial number. If you are self-medicating, and you're one of that 10 percent, are you going to be able to distinguish between routine drug side effects and flu symptoms themselves?

I think this is not a good idea. Save getting Tamiflu for after the fact, if it should come down to that, and let's hope it never does.

Schmerl, you're right too. Tamiflu does help prevent the flu, but there's a real worry that resistance will develop if it is used willy-nilly. It's one thing to administer the drug to prevent the flu possibly to nursing home residents during flu season. That's a population siginificantly at risk. If everybody traveling to Mexico starts taking it, though, resistance could be a real worry.

I actually used Tamiflu this past February for the first time. My DD came down with the flu. She was swabbed and diagnosed. I was shocked because we all had the flu shot. Go figure. Anyway, she was early enough to start on Tamiflu. My other DD and I took it as a preventative since my DH had a heart attack only 6 months before. We were trying to contain it to the one person. It worked. The rest of us stayed healthy. I also clorox wiped everything. Normally we would not have taken the Tamiflu.
I would not travel to Mexico any time soon. It is not worth the risk. I am surprised they are still allowing travel.

Hi Jeff

I just watch Larry King Live and they had three Medical Experts on there.

I am glad that one of the 3 Experts ...Dr.Bob Arnot agreed with my previous comments on the use of Tamiflu.

I am not advocating stock piling Tamiflu. I have two boxes of Tamiflu at home and the expiry date in 2011 and 2012.

I take it with me on holidays just as I take Cipro and Imodium, but always hoping that I never have to use it.

If I was going to Mexico right now (and I am not )and IF I was worried about the Flu, then I would take Tamiflu...and only because right now that is where all the problem is .

But if I was going to Cancun or Huatulco, I would not take Tamiflu prophylactically because in my opinion I feel the risk there is very little ( right now!).

But for those that are booked to go to Mexico and if you are concerned ...then you have an option... you can take Tamiflu.

I agree that the side effects of Tamiflu and mild and I have not heard from any of the people I know who have ever taken it that they had a side effects...so it is pretty well tolerated.

Not only was Tamiflu less effective against the routine strains of flu viruses this season...BUT the flu vaccine as a whole was less effective.

Hopefully the Experts decision for this coming year's vaccine will be a little more accurate in their "guesstimate" for the vaccine.

Thanks Jeff...always like hearing from you

I just talked to a friend who came back yesterday from Cancun. not much going on there with the pig flu. I am slated to go to Acapulco May 20th. I think I will wait a week to see what happens in Mexico and go to Costa Rica if travel is halted to Mexico. CUrrently this is being blown out of proportion IMHO.

It may be blown out of proportion ( a bit !) BUT if the government did not take action and keep the people informed

we would all be hollering for their lack of action and slow to recognize the seriousness of the situation!!

I guess better to have a little overkill right now, then to be guessing about some things !!

By May 20 HoDale...you will for sure know what the situation is.

Have a good time.

Always nice to hear from you too, Percy.

No, probably no one individual is stockpiling Tamiflu. One box will do. If everybody traveling to Mexico, though, gets a box "just in case," it'll have the same effect, and that'll be that much less available in an emergency. There's my concern.

Price is another issue. Some prescription insurances do not cover Tamiflu when used this way to prevent the flu. That's been the case up until now, although who knows what could change with this situation? In a nursing home situation as I mentioned above, of course, they always have. In travel situations, though, so far, it's not automatically covered under some plans. The retail cost runs over $100.

Hmm Wow $100.00 is a high cost.

It cost about $60.00 here and the government health care plan does not cover it.

But the Flu vaccine is covered for many , for example if you have Diabetis...your flu vaccine is free.

I have had my Tamiflu for 3 years now.

I know you have to take it almost at the first sign of being sick.

Two years ago when I was in Tasmania..it was 72 F, I did not get sick!!

Then I flew from Tasmania to Melbourne Australia...it was 85 F in Melbourne...I did not get sick in Melbourne!!!

then I flew from Melbourne to Alice Springs in the Outback and it was 105 F !!! THAT is when I got sick.

Can you imagine 105 F outside and you start getting a fever.!!

So I took two Tamiflu right away at the first sign of what could be the Flu ( and went to bed early) and the next day I took two more Tamiflu and on the following day I was much much better and was able to go touring around.

I am one of those people that gets sick ( with the Flu) at the drop of a hat!!!

But I have to say that once I get the flu and I am good and sick...then taking Tamiflu on day 3 or 4 or 5 ..makes little difference,at least I do not notice the reduction of symptoms in myself...so it is bed rest and fluids and achy bones for the next 7-10 days !!

Good Night Jeff

I don't think it is being blown out of proportion. Teaching in a school with a student population who travels frequently to Mexico, I'm keeping my ears wide open--and my hands washed, advising the same to students. In matters of this nature, I would prefer my government err on the side of caution. As I heard on the news tonight, best case scenario would be that there have actually been many millions affected in Mexico, way more than currently reported, making the death toll less dramatic per number infected.

tamiflu or not, why would anyone go to mexico at this point. how relaxing do think it will be with every local ( waiters, bellman, cooks, maintenance, housekeeping ) employee freaked out about their family or getting sick. i don't think i want to be served dinner from a waiter wearing a surgical mask. not to mention the risk to your own health. unless you're an adventurer, nothing says "adventure" like a stay in a mexican hospital
i feel for the locals because this " pandemic" will certainly not help the tourist industry.

I imagine that they are not blowing it out of proportion. That it is the complete opposite. Mexico does not want to hurt their tourist trade and probably kept the lid on it longer than it should have. I doubt they have high standards when it comes to making sure it doesn't spread.They haven't even gone to the homes of the people who died. Those people were all living with the people who died and of course were exposed. They can barely take care of the ones who show up sick at the hospital. I would guess that people are showing up at their sickest rather than looking for preventative care in Mexico.
I would stay away from Mexico right now. And I do feel sorry for all the workers who depend upon the tourist trade.
I hope Mexico gets the spreading of the flu under control soon.

girlonthego, you realize Mexico is a huge country though, right? If you look on that CDC map you will realize there are many parts of Mexico that are farther from Mexico City than many US cities, and of course a virus won't respect borders. I think in the next few weeks we'll see which way this is going--much ado about nothing or something so dire nobody should get on a plane to anywhere.

We are suppose to be leaving for Cancun on May 8th and having our small beach wedding ceremony on May 12th...We have already paid for everything granted we only have a couple of friends coming thank goodness cause that would have been a mess....I'm left wondering what now...we still want to go but not sure that it is a good idea....what should we do???

I'm with you shillmac !

When the government did not repond quickly to the Kathrina Disaster...the out cry was wide and deep.

When China did not respond ( but actually tried to cover it a bit) during the SARS problem.
We all know how the world criticized China ( and rightfully so).

In 1976 President Ford asked for all American to be vaccinated

He had to stop the programme about 2 months later because of the Guillian Barre side effect that about 60 Americans got.
But
Ford did the right thing back then.

shandilee83:

You do have a concern problem ...and you have everything paid for already.

The airlines are being very flexible about altering your flights ( but this may be only to Central Mexico right now).

Personally ,right now I would carry on with your plans....unless as the days go bye, the situation worsenes in Mexico and starts to involved the tourist areas (which it has not as of right now).

Your the classic case to take Tamiflu with you.

I hope you listened to Larry King Live last night and heard what Dr. Bob Arnot said about Tamiflu....it is about 100%) ( okay 99% ) of what I have said above about using Tamiflu.

People have returned from Cancun last night and out local news reporters and camera men were at the airport interviewing
everyone......but NO problem,other than many places were closed, due to trying to avoid over crowding.

Monitor the situation on a daily basis.. you have 2 weeks yet.

Good Luck

Hi shillmac

I have a number of friends living and working today in the Yucatan. If it were me, based on what I'm hearing today, I'd go. I do agree though the situation should be monitored daily. I'm still thinking of booking something for later in May.

And as for staying in a (gasp) Mexican hospital, I know several people who have had life threating issues down there and their hospital stays were every bit as professional as any they've had in the US. Just so ya know, Mexico is not entirely 3rd world any more.

What about all the students in Queens, NY, who traveled to Cancun and returned with swine flu? I thought Cancun was one of the problem areas. Those kids were some of the first reported here in the U.S. I don't want to put a damper on anything, but do want the facts to be straight for shandilee83. Please correct me if I am wrong.

The kids from Queens; never confirmed as Swine Flu.

Costa Rica now appears to have its first case: a woman who had just returned from a trip to Mexico. She is apparently recovering.

Look at this CDC Google map, you'll see where the cases are and how far from Cancun they currently are. That student group could have been booked through Mexico City. http://tinyurl.com/d3s6eb

Do you realize how much a course of Tamiflu costs? It is more than $1500?

Marginal

I hate to disagree but a course of Tamiflu is not anywhere near $1500.00

I do not know what it sells for in the USA, but in Canada it is $60.00 ( for a box of 10 pills )

I just got off the phone talking to my Pharmacist to make sure I had the price right, it IS $60.00 in Canada.

I don't think it's being blown out of proportion. I would do everything possible to avoid Mexico right now. I feel sorry for the people there dependent upon the tourist trade, but based on past behavior by the Mexican government, I don't think that you can really trust that they're being completely forthright because they are so heavily dependent upon tourism for money, especially coming on the heels of the p.r. damage the recent border violence has caused.

How can you relax with a tropical drink on the beach in Mexico if you're worried about contracting a serious virus? Plus, by most news accounts a lot of Mexico is shut down--all schools are closed and residents are urged to stay near home. How is that a vacation?

I'm not one to freak out when the media starts reporting something, but this seems serious and far from contained.

I found this on another board. Cacun and the Riviera Maya are not really being effected:

Cancún, Quintana Roo, April 27, 2009
QUINTANA ROO STATE SECRETARY OF TOURISM
PUBLIC RELEASE
“QUINTANA ROO KEEPS FREE FROM SWINE FLU”
Quintana Roo State Secretary of Tourism informs that the state is free from Swine Flu disease up to now, and that not a single case of the disease, or related cases have been reported at the main tourism destinations.
The detection and prevention plan implemented by Mexico´s Ministry of Health continues, by means of check points placed at airports, cruise and bus terminals, as well as permanent monitoring in the more than 77,000 hotel rooms operating in Quintana Roo.
The government agency also informs that tourism related activities develop normally in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Grand Costa Maya. All destinations remain attentive to the Health Authority´s directions.
Quintana Roo State Government is supportive of other Mexican states where the Swine Flu outbreak has taken place, and will be respectful of precaution measures and recommendations implemented in foreign countries in regard to international travel.
For the State Government the highest priority now is the preservation of health among all the population, including citizens and visitors.

For me best to use prevention in in high risk situation.

Current CDC position on prevention with Tamiflu.

Pre-exposure antiviral chemoprophylaxis with either oseltamivir or zanamivir can be considered for the following:

1. Any health care worker who is at high-risk for complications of influenza (e.g., persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons 65 or older, children younger than 5 years old, and pregnant women) who is working in an area of the healthcare facility that contains patients with confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, or who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.

2. Non-high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Tamiflu does not cost 1500. I think it was expensive when we got it for my family this winter. (only because we had my husband still fairly newly recovering from a heart attack and we were trying to contain the regular flu to one kid in the house.) But it is nowhere near even 100. I can't remember how much. I do remember commenting that it was pricey, maybe 35 or 40 per person with an insurance plan?
Jette: I thought the kids from Queens were confirmed with swine flu? I am pretty sure that is what the media was reporting the other day.
Monica: Yes. I do know that Mexico is huge. I also think that containing any kind of virus in a country like Mexico is probably almost impossible. I hope and pray this does not escalate.

I've seen several news articles raising (but not answering) the question of why the swine flu seems to be more deadly South of the Mexico/America border than it is north of the border. I think it is for the exact same reason that SARS proved so much more deadly in Canada than it did in the US: America's health care system, as expensive as it is, provides quicker response and more ready access to top-quality care. Americans are lucky that this disease struck now, before the US Congress has gotten around to nationalizing the health care system.

Remember that much of Mexico is still rural and isolated. The first death in Oaxaca was of a woman who'd traveled quite a distance to reach the public hospital in the state capital. It's probably significant that the first puzzling cases were identified in that hospital.

For a quick (personal) overview of the situation in Oaxaca, please go here:
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=nthamer&action=display&thread=1182&page=1

girlonthego,
I agree with you. Nothing I've read indicates that the Queens cases were unconfirmed. To the contrary.
Also, it is a bit premature to assume that when all is said and done, the disease has been more deadly south of the border. Doesn't the comparison depend on how many people have truly been affected down there? That info may not be reliable at this time or ever.

My husband and I decided to cancel our trip to Cancun. There was just too much talk about this flu virus that is very concerning. Luckily, we were refunded with a voucher for our airfare (eventhough it was nonrefundable)and we were lucky enough to be able to book in Maui instead for the same date travel. The hotel and airline we had reservations with for Mexico understood our concern and gave us refund (only if you were traveling to Mexico)because of this swine flu. I want to thank everyone for all their responses. It helped made our decision easier. Thank you again.

I also want to thank everyone for their comments...it was all very helpful!!! I have to say I def agree with you mah1980...your right how can I relax if I am worried about getting this virus. We have changed our plans from Cancun to Jamaica!!! We are still excited but stressed from trying to change all the plans!!! All I have to say is we will def remember our wedding ceremony...lol!!! What a story for the kids one day!!! Thanks to all!!!

So glad both of you were able to make other arrangements. Hopefully you will be able to venture forth into new territory with peace of mind. Hopefully! Who knows where this thing is going? We have travel plans in late July for Mexico City--medical mission trip in the mountains above Puebla. For the people of Mexico, and for the rest of us, we can all hope the crisis has worn itself out by that time. Even so, it will be difficult to go worry-free.

Cheap shot, bobludlow.

The People's Republic of China did not share info on their "flu epidemic" which later was called SARS. In the earliest stages, it was actually Canadian intelligence that alerted the World Health Organization of the problem, from routine electonic monitoring.

As I recall it took some time to manage screening protocols, EVERYWHERE. As a front line medical professional , I can tell you that we have been preparing, in Canada, for a flu pandemic for years while Sars came as a surprise.

Here's what Vincent Lam said in an interview a while back. Dr. Lam is the Giller Prize winner for his novel, Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures. He is also an emergency room physicain who treated SARS patients in Toronto.



Q: How would a flu pandemic stack up against SARS?

A: SARS was a logistical nightmare, and threw us for a loop as asystem. But it actually affected relatively few people in terms ofthe final number of illnesses and deaths. An influenza pandemic would affect a much larger percentage of the population. One of the big differences is that with influenza, in the day before a person has any symptoms at all, they may already be highly infectious. With SARS, people were shedding the most virus and were most infectious about 10 days into the illness, when theywere already quite ill. That's one reason it could be more easily contained, you could see that they were sick. There are somethings which people expect in a pandemic, and in a scary way,almost fantasize about, like enforced quarantines and signs nailed on the front door telling people not to go in or out. The reality is that we probably won't see those, because the success rate of en forced, individually directed quarantine and isolation in the past pandemics simply has not been borne out -- influenza is too infectious, and people shed virus before they know they're sick. Once an influenza strain hits the general community, it's almost impossible to completely stop its progress. What will likely be possible is to slow down and limit its progression by asking people to stay home, voluntarily.

Q: How do you shed the virus, exactly?

A: It comes from your mucous membranes, typically: your nose, ormouth or perhaps from rubbing your eyes. A person coughs or sneezes, and a virus-containing droplet flies out and lands on another person, or an object like a table or an elevator button.It only travels about a metre, but the droplet, depending on temperature and humidity, could survive a maximum of about 48 hours. A lot of people can touch an elevator button in the meantime, but the thing to understand is that you don't get influenza from touching the button -- you get it from touching the button, then touching one of your mucous membranes, scratching your nose or rubbing your eyes. This is why handwashing is so important, you can prevent that indirect transmission.

SO..

Perhaps tht answers part of your question as to why H1N1 has been more serious in Mexico, SO FAR ...maybe not as much hygeine therefore secondary infections such as pneumonia develop.

Well stated, rivet. Your first sentence expressed the opinion of many, no doubt. Thanks for the valuable info.

Just heard on the news that Cancun is pretty much shut down at this time, hotels empty, cruise ships not going in and out.

All the Canadian charters have stopped flights to Mexico, Air Transat, Sunwing......

Just to clarify, at the time of my initial posting the Queens cases WERE unconfirmed. Things have obviously changed since then altho since there are no confirmed cases in Cancun it's unclear where they picked it up. If they flew thru Mexico City as I've heard, it was more likely contacted there than in Cancun.

Anyway as I also said, the situation should be monitored daily for anyone still thinking of travelling.

http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42523&start=150

For first hand info on what's happening in Cancun, check this.

None of the hospitals in Cancun report any admissions for flu symptoms. The larger clubs are closing for a short while but it's certainly not empty or shut down.

I'm not denying things should be closely monitored but lets try and stay with the facts. Mass hysteria in the face of a possible crisis is NOT a good way to control the situation.

Our paper was reporting today that this flu is actually LESS virulent than the regular flu so far. And comparing it to the 1918 flu strain showed that it lacked an amino acid that would cause it to replicate in the lungs to the extent that the 1918 flu did, meaning it's much less likely to kill. So there is starting to be some good news. Yes, it could be a pandemic in that it's a new virus that is spreading around the world, but if it isn't worse than the current flu that we already deal with, is that so terrifying?

This is somewhat reassuring. As late as yesterday, CDC officials were still stating that the problem is that this is a new strain and they do not know what it will/could do. Hopefully that has changed and they have a handle on how it compares to other strains in virulence. Certainly there is no call for hysteria; however, until we know more I'll probably be one who will err on the side of caution and would advise my family to do the same.

Jette, your post was April 28. This article was dated April 26.

http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t090426.html

And yes, you are correct that we all need to get the facts straight. From what I've been able to gather by reading online, tourism is way down (compared to usual) in Cancun and the tourism industry is being very CLOSED MOUTHED about the swine flu--understandably; they have so much to lose. I'm not sure silence is the best approach as to the safety of travelers. And I don't think I'd trust updates that come out of Cancun as reliable.

The tourist industry anywhere has a tendency to sweep problems (health scares, crime, natural disasters, political unrest) under the rug. I feel for anyone who works in tourism in Mexico, but I agree with you, motmot: resports generated by the tourist industry in Cancun naturally will have a bias.

If anyone wants to see pics taken today from PDC from both the beach and in town/restaurants they are posted on the www.playa.info site in the general forum under the heading swine flu.

Well, that's it.

I am not going to Mexico, instead I am going to Montreal to visit bellaboo

I don't think my comments were a cheap shot at all. Granted, Canada's health care system is much more accessible in outlying areas than Mexico's spotty network. But even the last president of the Canadian Medical Association spoke very negatively about the "growing a significant cost" associated with long wait times to see GPs and specialists alike (quote from a National Post article, Jan 15, 2008). It was those long wait times that led to higher infection rates and (more horribly) higher mortality rates. American health care costs its citizens a frightening amount of money, but when it comes to treating acute diseases no other country does it better.

Getting back to Qwovadis' original question, so far there have not been even any suspected cases of the swine flu in Cancun. That doesn't mean you are safe, exactly, but you probably won't be any more at risk there than you would be visiting Texas or Southern California. Wash your hands, avoid crowds, and hope thunderstorms don't spoil the weather during your vacation.

I just changed my trip from Mexico to Costa Rica....pura vida y ojala que no hay gripe de cochinitos en la tierra mas bella del mundo.

Me voy a Costa Rica tambien--en la manana. Y ojala que no hay sneezing (what IS that word in espanol?) en el avion!

By the way, Jeff, sometimes I masquerade on Fodor's as motmot. It's Fodor's fault--can't sign in under "shillmac" on my work computer.

Are you going to join us at BdC in June? Hoping so--the more the merrier!

Ha! The verb is estornudar and the noun, estornudo I have a terrible mental block against those words -- they just don't sound "right".

Oh, so shillmac = motmot? Thanks for the clarification. What did Shakespeare say? A rose by any other name ...

Safe and healthy travels to you: I've started adding the "and healthy" part to people these days.

I can't make it to BdC this year, much as I'd like to. A couple of major family illnesses this winter and early spring threw my schedule into upheaval, and I'm now trying to make up for lost time. Next year maybe.

shillmac I figured out how you got to use the word shillmac

but mot mot ...hmmm!!!!!

update from WHO today:

No rationale for travel restrictions
1 May 2009 -- WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus. Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts of the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

Influenza A(H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The focus now is on minimizing the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally. Furthermore, although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms. Scientific research based on mathematical modelling indicates that restricting travel will be of limited or no benefit in stopping the spread of disease. Historical records of previous influenza pandemics, as well as experience with SARS, have validated this point.

Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple recommendations related to travel aimed at preventing the spread of infection. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases and not only influenza A(H1N1).

"I don't think my comments were a cheap shot at all. "

Agreed. Too many here on Fodor's think that if you have a differing opinion, it's a "cheap shot". Plenty on here have mentioned the USA's high cost of medicine, it's true but nobody say it's a cheap shot. Yet mention longer waits with socialized medicine and it's true too but they say it's a cheap shot.

PS-"America's health care system, as expensive as it is"

If you think it's expensive now, just wait until it's "free".

Hey Percy!

Come visit beautiful Montreal anytime!!!

I can't wait to get home to my sweet little green & red gem though....(PEI) !!!!

As for the swine flu, hopefully things get under control & most importantly...no more lives are lost.

Influenza A(H1N1) - update 8.1 -- 1 May 2009
-------------
The situation continues to evolve. As of 23:30
GMT, 1 May 2009, 13 countries have officially
reported 367 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

The United States Government has reported 141
laboratory confirmed human cases, including one
death. Mexico has reported 156 confirmed human
cases of infection, including 9 deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory
confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1),
Canada (34), China, Hong Kong, Special
Administrative Region (1), Denmark (1), Germany
(4), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand
(4), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United
Kingdom (8).

Further information on the situation will be
available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or
closure of borders. It is considered prudent for
people who are ill to delay international travel
and for people developing symptoms following
international travel to seek medical attention,
in line with guidance from national authorities.

There is also no risk of infection from this
virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and
pork products. Individuals are advised to wash
hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular
basis and should seek medical attention if they
develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.


Summary table of cases reported to WHO 30 Apr 2009 vs 1 May 2009
----------------
Country: No. cases (deaths) 30 Apr 2009 / No. cases (deaths) 1 May 2009

Austria: 1 / 1
Canada: 19 / 34
China, Hong Kong, SAR: 0 / 1
Denmark: 0 / 1
Germany: 3 / 4
Israel: 2 / 2
Mexico: 97(7) / 156 (9)
Netherlands: 1 / 1
New Zealand: 3 / 4
Spain: 13 / 13
Switzerland: 1 / 1
United Kingdom: 8 /
United States: 109 (1) / 141 (1)

Total No. countries reporting cases: 11 / 13
Total cases reported: 257 (8) / 367 (10)

My office nurse decided to travel to Mexico with her kids this week against my (and the government's) advice. At least she's in Cancun. Agree that this may be as safe as the American southwest. The notion of sealing the border against swine flu is silly. For a humorous take on some of this hysteria, see http://travelvaccineforum.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/swine-flu-seal-the-borders/

Bellaboo/Faithie,
Maybe we should have a GTG in Montreal? I understand there is some very good birding there!

Jeff--so sorry to hear of family illnesses and the like. Hope things settle down for you soon. We will miss you--and perhaps lift an Imperial to you!

Okay the GTG is in Montreal..... faithie gets to pick the place.!

Yes,I too am sorry to hear about family illness Jeff.
Take care, best of luck

Hi shillmac

So, everything is open as usual, not a lot of tourists around, but those who are here are more intelligent, the dumb ones, who believed the media hysteria, cancelled.
It's almost like the old days, before the town became a tourist mecca.
We never had even one case in town, or in the state for Jalisco, or the adjoining states of Nayarit & Colima.

That's good--hope it stays that way. Those who decided to change their plans probably aren't "dumb"--maybe just more cautious than others. That's a personal issue regarding comfort level--not a reflection of intelligence.

I am going to PDC tomorrow which is in the state of Quintana Roo. Just a short weekend before my extended stay in June and July. I'll be happy to pass on any info when I return.

Whatever you may think, it is not the subject of this thread.

Back to the topic of discussion:

Guatemala now has its first case. The government has announced that it reserves the right to take extraordinary measures and possibly suspend rights to deal with the situation.

Percy and Shillmac, thank you for your good wishes. Next year, maybe?

I live in Playa del Carmen.

No worries, no cases, all of this is just about prevention, what is currently kiiling the country i the media making such a fuss about it... Travelling to Mexico, you get less than 1 over a million to contract it, and even if so, it is just a flu.
Know that over 53 000 people die of regulat flu in the states every year.
Come to Mexico, come to Playa del Carmen, let this country live and share its beauties, further than all the "mala onda" it's been covered with...

Sophie
www.kaaxan.com

Everyone should know...all is safe in Los Cabos!!

As a frequent traveler to Los Cabos, I feel the destination has received a bad rap from all the negative media attention regarding the Drug Cartels and now the Swine Flu. I just returned from my 2nd visit this year and have to say, there is no need to avoid Cabo due to the Swine Flu or H1N1. While you’ll seldom see people wearing masks, the destination is taking all the necessary precautions…despite not having a reported case. The closest reported case is 1,000 miles away! When departing the airport, they had health officials screening passengers and taking their temperatures. I also heard the airport is installing thermal imaging cameras to detect infectious travelers!

I flew from Seattle to Dallas to Cancun on 5/6. I saw two people in the Dallas airport with masks and one person on the ADO bus from the Cancun airport. After going through customs and immigration in Cancun, they took my temperture with a sensor on my forehead. Luckily I passed. I shuddered to think about being the first person to bring the flu to the Yucatan. I had brought a mask to wear on the plane, but had a whole row to myself, and didn't hear anyone coughing or sneezing on my flights.

We've been to Cancun a 2-3 times, but spent most of our time in Puerto Morelos. It seems completely normal here. All of the stores and restaurants that are usually open during the low season are open and operating normally. Cancun also seems just fine. Home Depot and Commercial Mexican had all of their employees wearing masks, I've only seen a couple of people on the streets wearing masks.

It's gorgeous here and feels very safe.

Xenophobia is better discussed in the Lounge, not on this thread.

As far as the OP, the CDC has lifted the recommendation that people avoid travel to Mexico and the cruise ships will be making their stops in Mexico again.

We returned from a fabulous beach vacation in Cancun yesterday. We felt safer there than driving in the U.S. Go and have a blast! Do not let the media keep you from living life!!

Went to Playa del Carmen last week. It was very quiet in town and at the airport. No problems getting in or out and had a lovely time at the beach. Going back again in two weeks for the summer.

Let's all check back when autumn begins and see what has happened!

My family (6 of us) were all down in Cancun when the alleged "Swine Flu" broke out in Mexico. In Cancun, there was NO ONE sick at all. At first the local schools were closed for 2 weeks, but after 1 week, all the kids went back to school, as NO ONE was sick. I had a scheduled dentist appointment in a hospital down there and only the elevator guard had a mask on. He said it was just precautionary, but said NO ONE in the hospital had the Swine Flu. He is the only person we saw with a mask the entire 2 weeks we were down there. The locals all thought it was a big scam!