SARS in Maui?
Mar 17th, 2003, 01:18 PM
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SARS in Maui?
OK, I know I'm a little paranoid here but I'm going to ask the question anyway. I've recently heard there is a sickness called SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) this a pneumonia type illness that is spreading amoung the Asian population. It is resistant to all antibiotics and pretty much if you get it, you will die. I've heard it spreads easily in airplanes due to the confined space. I checked with the CDC and they confirm that SARS is real and they have issued a state of alert.
I am planning to take my family to Maui next week. I know a large number of the visitors to Maui are of Asian descent. Should I postpone the trip? Has anyone heard of this spreading in Hawaii?
I am planning to take my family to Maui next week. I know a large number of the visitors to Maui are of Asian descent. Should I postpone the trip? Has anyone heard of this spreading in Hawaii?
Mar 17th, 2003, 01:39 PM
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SARS is NOT a disease "spreading among the Asian population", it's a respiratory disease of (currently) unknown etiology that first appeared in Asia. Jeez...!!! Please read those news stories more carefully.
SARS is a possibility ANYWHERE in the world, inasmuch as people may be exposed and carry it to other parts of the world. Maui, given its tourist trade, could have cases there. Then again, there could be SARS cases in New York. The fact that most Hawai'ians are of Asian descent has absolutely NOTHING to do with SARS being there, unless they are exposed to people from Asia (particularly the southern part) that carry it.
SARS is a possibility ANYWHERE in the world, inasmuch as people may be exposed and carry it to other parts of the world. Maui, given its tourist trade, could have cases there. Then again, there could be SARS cases in New York. The fact that most Hawai'ians are of Asian descent has absolutely NOTHING to do with SARS being there, unless they are exposed to people from Asia (particularly the southern part) that carry it.
Mar 17th, 2003, 04:49 PM
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"Nothing about that pattern suggests bioterrorism," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
It is now believed to be a viral infection related to flu, which is why it has not respond to antibiotics. People are recovering. There have been a few people in transit to/from Asia with flu like symptoms that were put into isolation while in Europe.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/23680.htm
It is now believed to be a viral infection related to flu, which is why it has not respond to antibiotics. People are recovering. There have been a few people in transit to/from Asia with flu like symptoms that were put into isolation while in Europe.
http://www.komotv.com/stories/23680.htm
Mar 19th, 2003, 07:13 AM
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Thanks buckeyemom and DB. The added information is helpful. We're looking forward to going but wanted to be well informed.
Jeez!!!...Read those posts more carefully rjw_lgb_ca. No where in my post did I called it a disease. I believe "sickness" & "ilnness" were the terms used. If you don't think it's a sickness or illness, I encourange you to talk to some of the people who are infected. And yes even the the information on the CDC's website indicates it is spreading amoung Asian populations. It stands to reason that if a large portion of the population and/or visitors to Hawaii are Asian they might be "exposed to people from Asia (particularly the southern part) that carry it."
I'm sure everyone was entertained by your sarcastic response. Unfortunately I couldn't resist lowering myself to respond to your ignorance. I'm sure your post made you feel very big, but did little to answer the question that was asked. I thought when Fodors made people register it would week out people like you. I guess not. Cogratulations on your self-affirmation.
Jeez!!!...Read those posts more carefully rjw_lgb_ca. No where in my post did I called it a disease. I believe "sickness" & "ilnness" were the terms used. If you don't think it's a sickness or illness, I encourange you to talk to some of the people who are infected. And yes even the the information on the CDC's website indicates it is spreading amoung Asian populations. It stands to reason that if a large portion of the population and/or visitors to Hawaii are Asian they might be "exposed to people from Asia (particularly the southern part) that carry it."
I'm sure everyone was entertained by your sarcastic response. Unfortunately I couldn't resist lowering myself to respond to your ignorance. I'm sure your post made you feel very big, but did little to answer the question that was asked. I thought when Fodors made people register it would week out people like you. I guess not. Cogratulations on your self-affirmation.
Mar 19th, 2003, 07:27 AM
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MauiLover, I refuse to get into name calling or persnickity games of semantics (although your typos indicate a certain rush to judgment)-- but you didn't read my post carefully. SARS is of course a "disease"-- I said "a respiratory disease of (currently) unknown etiology that first appeared in Asia". See? I used the word "disease". Turns out it's probably viral-- that's why antibiotics have no direct effect.
What I took (and still take) issue with is the broadbrush term "Asian population". The disease was first seen in areas of Asia, yes. But there's a fairly large number of people of Asian descent in the western US and Hawai'i-- and the spread of the disease in the US (less than 10 cases, last I heard) has been limited to people from or traveling in Asia. That is, it's not an issue of people being Asian, it's an issue of being from or traveling in certain areas of Asia. Can we agree on that and move on?
What I took (and still take) issue with is the broadbrush term "Asian population". The disease was first seen in areas of Asia, yes. But there's a fairly large number of people of Asian descent in the western US and Hawai'i-- and the spread of the disease in the US (less than 10 cases, last I heard) has been limited to people from or traveling in Asia. That is, it's not an issue of people being Asian, it's an issue of being from or traveling in certain areas of Asia. Can we agree on that and move on?
Mar 19th, 2003, 08:23 AM
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MauiLover,
I read your post exactly the same way as rjw_lgb_ca did so don't get bent out of shape about it, next time you'll know to phrase it a different way.
If you're really all that worried about it, talk to your doctor instead of looking for answers on a travel website.
Additionally, from what I see on my thrice yearly trips to Maui, most of the visitors these days are American, not from Asia.
I read your post exactly the same way as rjw_lgb_ca did so don't get bent out of shape about it, next time you'll know to phrase it a different way.
If you're really all that worried about it, talk to your doctor instead of looking for answers on a travel website.
Additionally, from what I see on my thrice yearly trips to Maui, most of the visitors these days are American, not from Asia.
Mar 19th, 2003, 08:54 AM
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* * * * *
DOCTORS IDENTIFY BUG --- see article on CNN. . . . . . HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- As many as five people have died in Hong Kong from a mystery virus authorities now believe has mutated from a common childhood disease.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/03/19/mystery.disease.virus/index.html
DOCTORS IDENTIFY BUG --- see article on CNN. . . . . . HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- As many as five people have died in Hong Kong from a mystery virus authorities now believe has mutated from a common childhood disease.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/03/19/mystery.disease.virus/index.html
Mar 19th, 2003, 08:58 AM
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As a regular poster on this board and a Chinese-American, I would to support rjw_lgb_ca's comments to Maui Lover.
1st of all, the 'large number of visitors to Maui are of Asian descent' are primarily from Japan, which is NOT where this disease originated from.
2nd of all, I also agree that Maui Lovers characterization that this is a disease 'spreading among the Asian population' misses the whole point of the severity of this health threat; that one doesn't have to be 'asian' to contract this illness.
These are the same misstatements made over 20 yrs ago that AIDS was a 'gay disease', and we now know how that has evolved.......
1st of all, the 'large number of visitors to Maui are of Asian descent' are primarily from Japan, which is NOT where this disease originated from.
2nd of all, I also agree that Maui Lovers characterization that this is a disease 'spreading among the Asian population' misses the whole point of the severity of this health threat; that one doesn't have to be 'asian' to contract this illness.
These are the same misstatements made over 20 yrs ago that AIDS was a 'gay disease', and we now know how that has evolved.......
Mar 19th, 2003, 02:56 PM
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Some in the healthcare field are questioning if this is smallpox pnemonia. If it is that it is terrorism which started abroad. Don't panic I do not know if this is true for a fact. Just listen to the develpoments. It is already in Georgia. Hawaii would be a safer destination to me.
Mar 20th, 2003, 04:41 AM
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Cnmiranda-If you don't know if that is true why post it? There is enough unease going around without adding to it. Don't post something unless you absolutely know it to be a true fact!
As for SARS, they now think they have it pinpointed to initial spreading in a Hong Kong Hotel and that it is a form of MMR which has mutated. The CDC and WHO are working feverishly to isolate and learn more about this...
As for SARS, they now think they have it pinpointed to initial spreading in a Hong Kong Hotel and that it is a form of MMR which has mutated. The CDC and WHO are working feverishly to isolate and learn more about this...
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:11 PM
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Buckeyemom- I was just adding a little information that I heard in the medical community. It was not meant to upset anyone in any way which is why I said I do not know this to be true. It was only meant to help someone as a consideration for future travel plans.
In your next paragraph you state "As for SARS THEY now think they have it pinpointed....." aren't you posting something you don't know to be true for a fact?
In your next paragraph you state "As for SARS THEY now think they have it pinpointed....." aren't you posting something you don't know to be true for a fact?
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:22 PM
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Let's take a step back, please.
First of all, the issue of "bioterrorism" is wild speculation-- this particular pathogen is not that easy to catch, it seems, and frankly, it's not THAT "deadly"-- it's just new. But most people who catch it seem to be recovering just fine. My guess is, the people who have died from it were somehow predisposed to dying of viral lung disease. It's a bit troubling that new viral strains of a known disease (mumps) are morphing into something attacking different organ systems, but hey, welcome to the 21st century.
And cnmiranda, the pinpointing of the initial cases to a hotel in Hong Kong is based on sound forensic detective work. As is its attribution to the specific virus.
No cases in the Hawai'ian Islands yet, from what I've heard. Anyone with NIH or CDC out there...?
First of all, the issue of "bioterrorism" is wild speculation-- this particular pathogen is not that easy to catch, it seems, and frankly, it's not THAT "deadly"-- it's just new. But most people who catch it seem to be recovering just fine. My guess is, the people who have died from it were somehow predisposed to dying of viral lung disease. It's a bit troubling that new viral strains of a known disease (mumps) are morphing into something attacking different organ systems, but hey, welcome to the 21st century.
And cnmiranda, the pinpointing of the initial cases to a hotel in Hong Kong is based on sound forensic detective work. As is its attribution to the specific virus.
No cases in the Hawai'ian Islands yet, from what I've heard. Anyone with NIH or CDC out there...?
Mar 20th, 2003, 01:42 PM
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You "heard" something in the medical community. That is the same as rumors and gossip. Unless, that heard is backed up by fact, don't post it. As to my comment on pinpointing that is indeed fact. I read it in several reputable newspapers including the NY Times and the London Times, both of which I download and read daily. People are in a high state of anxiety right now with the War, don't add to it with unsubstantiated rumors.
Don't mean to come down on you so hard, but I am getting a little peeved about the rampant rumors going around. I jumped all over one of my kids for forwarding an urban legend about a woman dying from perfume samples in a magazine in everyone in our address book. My elderly relatives were very upset all because of a false story someone "heard."
Don't mean to come down on you so hard, but I am getting a little peeved about the rampant rumors going around. I jumped all over one of my kids for forwarding an urban legend about a woman dying from perfume samples in a magazine in everyone in our address book. My elderly relatives were very upset all because of a false story someone "heard."
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:22 PM
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Can everyone please calm down and take a deep breath?
FACT: Between this latest outbreak and a suspected outbreak in Guangdong province in China last year, the death toll is 14 out of about 300 afflicted worldwide over several months.
FACT: There are some 11 cases of acute respiratory illness in the US that are linked to SARS-- mostly by travel to southern Asia. None of these, according to the news I've seen, has died, and all are recovering in hospital (actually, one has been released, fully recovered). CDC will only confirm they are investigating cases that *could* be SARS in CA, NJ and NM.
OBSERVATION: EVERYONE probably had a momentary flash in their mind that this could be some kind of act of bioterrorism. Mysterious illness, no treatment, etc. Fact is, it really does seem to be hard to catch, although it's very serious if you do. So bioterrorism can safely be ruled out now.
OBSERVATION: If you aren't traveling to China, Hong Kong or Vietnam, you should be just fine. People traveling to Hawai'i have nothing to worry about (really, most tourists there are from the Mainland).
OBSERVATION: Everyone's on edge and cranky. It's almost the weekend; can we lighten up just a bit? Please?
FACT: Between this latest outbreak and a suspected outbreak in Guangdong province in China last year, the death toll is 14 out of about 300 afflicted worldwide over several months.
FACT: There are some 11 cases of acute respiratory illness in the US that are linked to SARS-- mostly by travel to southern Asia. None of these, according to the news I've seen, has died, and all are recovering in hospital (actually, one has been released, fully recovered). CDC will only confirm they are investigating cases that *could* be SARS in CA, NJ and NM.
OBSERVATION: EVERYONE probably had a momentary flash in their mind that this could be some kind of act of bioterrorism. Mysterious illness, no treatment, etc. Fact is, it really does seem to be hard to catch, although it's very serious if you do. So bioterrorism can safely be ruled out now.
OBSERVATION: If you aren't traveling to China, Hong Kong or Vietnam, you should be just fine. People traveling to Hawai'i have nothing to worry about (really, most tourists there are from the Mainland).
OBSERVATION: Everyone's on edge and cranky. It's almost the weekend; can we lighten up just a bit? Please?
Mar 20th, 2003, 03:46 PM
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I think cnmiranda also believes a case was located in Georgia because that's where the initial press release was datelined from. It made it seem as if they were reporting something in Georgia, when the report was reported from Georgia. I may be wrong but I believe the CDC is Atlanta-based?
Mar 21st, 2003, 07:12 AM
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I'm reluctant to post this, because I hate to play up paranoia, but the CDC is reporting one suspected case in Hawaii. They have not identified the island in question. The official chart can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/sars.htm
However, please realize that the best currently available information that person to person transmission has only been documented in cases where the individuals had very close contact, either immediate family members or those providing medical care. Several sources, including the CDC have stated that it does not appear to be anything like what one would expect from terrorism. For example, see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/faq.htm
However, please realize that the best currently available information that person to person transmission has only been documented in cases where the individuals had very close contact, either immediate family members or those providing medical care. Several sources, including the CDC have stated that it does not appear to be anything like what one would expect from terrorism. For example, see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/faq.htm
