We were all set to book a trip for January to the Dominican and our travel agent told us of a polio outbreak and 5 people dying recently. She said they were told not to send anyone there until they get it all checked out. Has anyone heard of this happening?

Here's the AP story dated Dec 24 <BR> <BR>Polio Attacks Dominican Republic <BR>By SUSANNAH A. NESMITH <BR>Associated Press Writer <BR> <BR> <BR>CONSTANZA, Dominican Republic (AP) - Sandy Torres sits in a wheelchair in the front of his sixth grade class, learning anatomy, though his own body is forever damaged by a disease that has scientists scrambling for answers. <BR> <BR>Sandy, 13, came down with polio in September, nine years after scientists believed it had been eliminated from the Western Hemisphere. His mother said he was never vaccinated because she didn't know he needed to be. <BR> <BR>``It's not easy watching your child, who ran and played like all the other children, and now he can't walk,'' Sylvia Altagracia Nunez said. <BR> <BR>Sandy is one of six confirmed cases in the Dominican Republic. There is a seventh in Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola, and 15 suspected cases are being investigated by local health workers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pan American Health Organization based in Washington, D.C. <BR> <BR>The outbreak indicated that the health care systems failed to follow through on a basic vaccination program, and it also raised larger concerns about the worldwide effort to eradicate polio.

Have been told it has been isolated to a small village..I have yet to call my M.D., but another point I had read is that if you had a polio booster within ten years you were fine.. We are leaving for Punta Cana on February 3rd.

Just got back from D.R. 2 days ago. We got polio shhots before we went- the kids didn't need any. No one travelling that week even new of the outbreak. You can look up the Pan American Health Organization Website and they say that it is okay to go as long as your immunizations are up to date. on another note, I would just skip the island and go somewhere else. It was our least favorite vacation in 10 years. There are much better places to go. Service is not DR's thing. any questions, email.

Wendy, I was disappointed to hear you didn't enjoy your trip. My husband and I are heading there at the end of this month. Can you tell me where you stayed and why you didn't like your vacation? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

We leave February 3rd for Punta Cana.. and only because we are seniors are we going to get a booster...This will be our 5th time there... Some people just don't get it.. the D.R. is a laid back place.. The outbreak is in the middle of the country in a little area..CDC recommends a booster..We are going..

Karen: I have been all around the world (all but 2 continents) and the Dominican is by far the most friendly island in the caribbean. It is far safer than Jamaica, Barbados or the Bahamas. The Spanish heritage makes the music, food and people very easy going and easy to get along with. While it is not my all time favorite destination it is in my top 5 and I have chosen to go back. If you like sun, merengue, relaxing on the beach, and tropical drinks, the longest white sand beach in the caribbean awaits you!

Monique - Thank you for your email. I too have traveled extensively and used to work in the travel industry. Therefore i'm used to doing a lot of research before going somewhere. I have been to several Club Meds and Sandals and like the idea of an all-inclusive. Getting away without the children is a rarity and we're really looking just to relax on a gorgeous beach with tropical drinks and fun food options. I'll have to brush up on my Spanish but I welcome that challenge! Do you know anything about the Melia Paradisus? Melias tend to be quite reputable so I thought this would be a good bet. Thanks again for your input.

To answer Karen's questions- We stayed at a 5 star Casa Del MAr in bayahibe near LaRomanna. We had a suite as we were with 3 children, and also anothe family in a suite Christmas week. We have travelled to many islands, on vacation and are always aware of the laid feeling. Hoever, here the wercive was just plain unacceptable- it took much complaining after many hours to get towels, the food was just adequate, and the service in the restaurants (the sit down restaurants, not the buffet) was unbelievably slow. The beach was fine, the pool was great, but there was always something going on related to terrible service. Then we had to check out,and go to a different hotel, as we were caught in a major storm in NY last week, and all NY airports were closed. So we had to check into another hotel- Coral Hommaca nearer to Santo Domingo Airport- it was a 4 star- it took us no less than 45 minutes to check in. The hotle upon 1st blush looked to be better, but Casa Del MAr had much better service- believe it or not. If you need a private guide typee email me. wendy

Let me just say I was at the Casa del Mar last February (second week to be exact)...and I loved it.. the only reason I am not going back is that I wasn't happy about the almost 2 hour ride from the city to the resort... instead we are going to Punta Cana which is only 15 minutes from the resort.. Now, before I am called down for name calling or flaming..let me tell you we love to go to spanish countries for vacation and this will be our 5th time in the D.R. Hello people...they are laid back..it is not New York..things go at a slower pace..much slower..if you can't deal with it..go to an island with McDonalds and Taco Bell or take a cruise.. Now, that I've blown my top..let me add..there is something about all spanish countries where service is more relaxed, the atmosphere is warm and friendly and after 20 years plus of traveling, mainly to spanish countries you couldn't give me Aruba and St. Thomas for a week, tried it and found both lacking in ambience.....As for the Casa Del Mar..the resort is absolutely lovely, Kodak areas all over..from the entrance where there are orchids hanging down from the lattice.. The "animation" staff..Caesar..especially..the wait staff in the dining rooms, including the grille for lunch and supper.. Yes, maybe it was a tad slow in the buffet area.. What';s the rush..your on vacation..slow down, breathe the scent, did you see the gorgeous sunsets...

Wendy....seemed to have forgotten that it was Christmas Week and all resorts were probably packed to the gills...I bet that they raised a loud fuss over non-service...Ugly Americans....rear their head again..

Four of us are cruising to Catalina Island D.R. this coming November. Don't know much about this area at all. Know that I have been reading about polio outbreak, and not knowing where Catalina is exactly, I am really afraid to get off the ship at this port. Anyone been to Catalina and is the polio outbreak in this area too? Thanks so much...hoping to hear from you.

Through a series of bizzare circumstances we did not get our polio booster...The outbreak I was told was in one inner area of the country and contained.. You would be foolish not to get off the ship and see the D.R. There wasn't a tourist we met who even thought of it.. The only thing you will want to do is drink bottled water..everybody does.. Have a wonderful time..