Swine Flu in Mexico, is it safe to go. (Merged Threads)

[Toto2Kansas]

There was a lengthy story on the news tonight. They said it is not airborne. It is passed by touching someone who is infected. Be sure to take antibacterial soap with you, which I do on every cruise anyway. Wash, wash, wash. They are not at this time telling people not to travel to Mexico, but they are carefully monitoring the border crossings of people coming into the U.S.

 

Question: It this flu is not airborne, why are the passing out face masks in some Mexican cities? Watched it on the news last night. Just wondering?

[cdngrl]

i saw the same thing here on the news and also wondered why they're wearing masks if its not airborne? i'm going to have to google it!

 

 

from the cdc website:

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

[karmacruiser]

Does anyone know how long these outbreaks typically last? :confused:

[Cruise Raider]

There was a lengthy story on the news tonight. They said it is not airborne. It is passed by touching someone who is infected. Be sure to take antibacterial soap with you, which I do on every cruise anyway. Wash, wash, wash. They are not at this time telling people not to travel to Mexico, but they are carefully monitoring the border crossings of people coming into the U.S.

 

 

Antibacterial hand sanitizer is not effective against a virus, thus the name, antibacterial. I am not against using antibacterial products --but only to kill bacteria that might also plague us. The best defense is to wash with soap and water often and don't touch anything!

[CRUISERSWITHKIDS]

We leave on Sunday on the Coral to do a Panama Canal cruise and we stop in 3 different Mexican ports. I was going to cancel our shore excursions and then realized that it would do no good because unless everyone on the cruise stayed on board there was no way to preventsomeone bringing the germs on board. I'm not going to worry about it - if it happens it happens. I will of course make sure I wash my hands often and use the antibacterial handwash. Also, if I eat in the Horizon Court, I'm going to use a napkin to hold onto the spoons to dish out my food. My husband and I spend most of our day out by the pool and we rarely go to the evening shows or casino where there are large crowds confined in small spaces.

Jericho,

very good advice! Handwashing is the key! And the napkin around the serving utinsils is wonderful idea! Also note, that the US seems to have this under control.....you can't help but wonder if the media plays it up to be bigger than what it actually is.

[Toto2Kansas]

This isn't sounding good (if you can believe the news). They just reported a few minutes ago that there have been two reported cases of Swine Flu here in Kansas. California and Texas also have reported cases.

 

They said that the CDC is going to be meeting in the next couple of days to decide how to handle this situation, closing boarders was also a possiblity mentioned.

 

Now remember, this is from our local news, so take it for what it's worth.

[Ula]

Toto, I read about the Kansas cases, I thought wow this is developing fast. The border states like CA and Texas I understand. Live in CA so would like more information for personal safety. There could be some cruises to no where out of CA if this gets very serious.

[vickie_bernie]

The masks are for the horrible pollution in Mexico City - it is bad there!

 

So according to the scare I can't go to San Diego, Kansas, Texas, Mexico...

 

Currently World Health Organization has not put out a travel ban for anywhere, and I am sure the cruise lines will not go where they could put the passengers health at risk.

 

Heck I am going to baricade myself in my home. Oh and wash my hands! Glad I am going to Alaska in 3 weeks, but who knows they might have the swine flu by then too. Nahhh the cold will kill any germs, RIght???

[Debe7ing]

We live in San Antonio, where a few cases have been confirmed (but they have recovered).

 

I went to Walmart this morning and bought some masks...figured Murphy's law applies. If I buy them, won't need them. If I don't.....

 

Might not be a bad idea to buy a pack...they were less than $3 for two VERY nice kind that don't lay directly on your face (like a surgical mask does) but are "domed" shape over your mouth/nose area.

 

Try and enjoy your trip, and as for the not getting of the ship in Mexico, everyone else on the ship will be, so you might as well go ahead and enjoy your ports unless a travel advisory is put out before you reach there.

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto, I read about the Kansas cases, I thought wow this is developing fast. The border states like CA and Texas I understand. Live in CA so would like more information for personal safety. There could be some cruises to no where out of CA if this gets very serious.

 

Yep, I was also kind of shocked. First report about it being here was this evening, but they didn't say which part of Kansas the reported cases were in. (which was expected in order not to cause a panic).

It's going to be interesting to see what the CDC comes up with here, travel advisorys were also possible, it mentioned.

 

Yep, if this doesn't calm down soon, lots of cruises to nowhere could be right around the corner. But I think waiting to see what the CDC plans on doing is about the only real life info we are going to get. (no offense to the news, but they sure like to sensationalize wayyyyy too much anymore. It's like the little boy who cried wolf, you never know when you should believe them and when not to). ;)

[rimau]

They are now reporting possible cases in school children in Queens, New York. Even if this is not true, the fact that is is in at least three states would cause me not to cancel a cruise. If there was heavy outbreak in a specific city, I would try to stay away from that city.

[cdngrl]

i will not cruise to kansas...

seriously though, the news is throwing words like "pandemic" around. that is very scary. i worry for those with compromised immune systems and hope the media is being sensational. its good for people to be aware, but i want more information from places like the cdc and who.

[Pam in CA]

This isn't sounding good (if you can believe the news). They just reported a few minutes ago that there have been two reported cases of Swine Flu here in Kansas. California and Texas also have reported cases.

 

They said that the CDC is going to be meeting in the next couple of days to decide how to handle this situation, closing boarders was also a possiblity mentioned.

 

Now remember, this is from our local news, so take it for what it's worth.

Call me a cynic but I haven't believed the media for years (maybe decades) on any subject. They would have you believe that if you wander around a cruise ship after dark, you're likely to be raped or thrown overboard by a rabid crew member. If that doesn't happen to you, you're sure to get the dreaded "cruise ship sickness" aka Norovirus which anyone would tell you is found wherever there are a number of people: a church, school, nursing home, etc.

 

Just got back this morning on the Sapphire Princess and heard absolutely nothing about anyone getting the Noro or any other nasty disease. PLEASE feel free to get off the ship if that is what you want to do and don't let the media frighten you. I had a fabulous time; you will too. FYI, I thought the food on this cruise was better than on any other cruise on any cruiseline (except for one item: the meatloaf), which is saying a lot since I've got a lot of cruising days racked up.

[quincytoo]

Call me a cynic but I haven't believed the media for years (maybe decades) on any subject. They would have you believe that if you wander around a cruise ship after dark, you're likely to be raped or thrown overboard by a rabid crew member. If that doesn't happen to you, you're sure to get the dreaded "cruise ship sickness" aka Norovirus which anyone would tell you is found wherever there are a number of people: a church, school, nursing home, etc.

 

Just got back this morning on the Sapphire Princess and heard absolutely nothing about anyone getting the Noro or any other nasty disease. PLEASE feel free to get off the ship if that is what you want to do and don't let the media frighten you. I had a fabulous time; you will too. FYI, I thought the food on this cruise was better than on any other cruise on any cruiseline (except for one item: the meatloaf), which is saying a lot since I've got a lot of cruising days racked up.

I so agree :)

 

Glad to hear you had a good cruise on one of my favourite ships on my favorite cruise destinations :)

 

I have to ask through...meatloaf?????? ....:p

 

What made you want to have it???

[Pam in CA]

I have to ask through...meatloaf?????? ....:p

 

What made you want to have it???

I ordered it because I felt like it. :):) What came was pink (yes, light pink) and looked like medallions of uncooked Spam; tasted like it too. It sure didn't look like anything my mother used to make, or even what I attempt to make. Everyone at the table was grossed out.

[quincytoo]

I ordered it because I felt like it. :):) What came was pink (yes, light pink) and looked like medallions of uncooked Spam; tasted like it too. It sure didn't look like anything my mother used to make, or even what I attempt to make. Everyone at the table was grossed out.

 

Yub that sounds nasty.....:(....Spam....nooooo it is just wrong

 

LOL.....My husband ordered meatloaf once down at Cafe Bohemio in Puerto Vallarta....*I just feel like it* he said and when we got home I had to write the restaurant to get the recipe.....it is really good :)

[lovey1103]

We were not getting off the ship to begin with, so we are not canceling anything. We now plan to wash our hands alot and use hand sanitizer all the time. What has me a little concerned is the photos I see coming out of Mexico of people wearing masks, does that mean that it is airborn?

Yes, it is airborn. This is why people are encouraged to cover their cough and sneezes with tissue or mask.

Wash your hands of course. Use the antibacteral hand gel often.

[Sandy R]

We just disembarked the Sapphire this morning. There was no talk about Swine flu. We didn't know anything about it... too busy to watch CNN. There was no talk about noro-virus, either. Salt and pepper shakers were on tables in the dining room and Horizon Court and serving utensils in the Horizon Court were being used by passengers. As usual, Purell dispensers were prominent throughout the ship... we carry Wet Ones now. Hopefully, Princess will begin using it, too.

 

The weather was very warm except for the last day (yesterday) and the ocean was calm throughout the cruise. There were very few kids aboard... guess we missed spring break. The Most Traveled lunch with the Captain yesterday was nice. It was a great week!

 

Sandy

[caribill]

From CDC site: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

 

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Flu's are not airborne - they are spread by droplets which can spread 5 feet from the infected person who does not cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze. Touching an object with these droplets is how a person gets infected. As others have said, hand washing is your best defense.

 

I leave for a cruise to the Caribbean one week from today. I am not worried about the cruise - more worried about the air travel. Do not put the air flow directly on yourself, and help your immune system protect you by keeping hydrated and getting plenty of rest before traveling. Taking Echinacea or Airborne prior to traveling may not help - but it can't hurt either!:D

 

Panicking, canceling cruises, etc will not serve to accomplish anything. At this point there is nothing to say that this flu is any worse than any other flu that hits us every year. Many people in the US die from the flu. Most of them are at high risk, elderly or debilitated. Those people should take extra precautions. Others should be careful, but not scared.

[sc6103]

A little common sense goes a long way.

 

Use a lot of antibacterial soap, wipes, hand sanitizer etc... Wash your hand often.

 

Just like what you would do for your baby. It's a good habit.

 

Keep it up!

[D4]

The masks you see people wearing in the Mexico City airport are because of the swine flu, not because of the smog. We flew through there in early April on our way to Acapulco and we didn't see anyone with masks. Airlines in Mexico City airport are now requiring passengers to fill out health forms before they allow them to fly. That is also because of the swine flu

[Toto2Kansas]

DH just came home and was told this AM that the two cases of Swine Flu in Kansas are actually in our county, about 12 miles from us. The husband had gone to Mexico, came home infected, and passed it along to his wife. Lovely! :mad:

[kooljamming]

DH just came home and was told this AM that the two cases of Swine Flu in Kansas are actually in our county, about 12 miles from us. The husband had gone to Mexico, came home infected, and passed it along to his wife. Lovely! :mad:

 

That is so scary. We leave to Playa del Carmen, Mexcio in 7 weeks and now a bit freaked out. If I am constantly worried about my kids touching and being around others, then I might as well stay home. I am wondering if getting the prescription for Tamiflu (sp) before going will help?

[Toto2Kansas]

That is so scary. We leave to Playa del Carmen, Mexcio in 7 weeks and now a bit freaked out. If I am constantly worried about my kids touching and being around others, then I might as well stay home. I am wondering if getting the prescription for Tamiflu (sp) before going will help?

 

Hopefully by the time you sail, this will all be over and done with. I wouldn't freak out too much, a lot can happen in 7 weeks. ;)

 

I am just going to watch closely to see if there are any other cases reported in our area. Hopefully they caught this guy and his wife in time before they infected the entire city. :( If I post a picture of me with a face mask, you will know that things are getting serious here. :o