Notification Of Swine Flu Status Report I Received

[SDPadreFan]

Just received this from my timeshare operator in Cabo San Lucas. Hopefully everything will return to normal soon and the ships will once again head south to warmer waters.

 

April 30, 2009

 

STATE OF BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR REMAINS FREE OF THE SWINE FLU VIRUS. NO CONFIRMED CASES NEITHER REGISTERED NOR SUSPECTED. STATE TOURISM SECRETARY ALBERTO TREVIÑO DECLARED THAT THE ENTITY IS VIRUS-FREE.

 

Baja California Sur is free of the swine flu virus; thus far there have been no confirmed cases nor are there any suspected cases statewide. Baja California Sur Secretary of Tourism Alberto Treviño stated that residents, domestic and international tourists may stay and visit the state’s tourist destinations with the security of knowing that throughout the state there are no cases of swine flu. Those tourists who are planning to visit our tourist destinations may do so without worrying about contracting the swine flu virus, and with the knowledge that state health authorities are working to maintain this controlled situation.

 

During the Touristic Tianguis (meeting) being held in Acapulco, Guerrero, Treviño said that “the tourism sector in Baja California Sur is operating normally and with the security that there are no precedents of the virus in any part of the state: from Guerrero Negro to Ciudad Constitución, from La Paz to Todos Santos and from Los Barriles to Cabo San Lucas”. Treviño added that “the tourism industry in Baja California Sur is undoubtedly one of the principal driving forces of the state’s economy, due to the teamwork of the business sector, society and government. For that reason, today more than ever all of us in Baja California Sur are working together in a responsible manner to improve the touristic development of our state”.

 

The Tourism Secretary reiterated that in his state, there is not even a suspicion of this virus, in that health authorities have sent ten samples from patients with common cold symptoms to Mexico City for analysis, and in each of the cases the result was negative. Even so, he emphasized that all precautions are being undertaken as a preventative measure, and that careful observation is underway at marine, ground and air terminals. Public and private schools have been closed, and the public has been warned against gathering in large crowds and in enclosed spaces.

 

As a further preventive measure, Treviño said that health officials have enough medicine and 120 special reagents in their possession to treat the disease in state health centers and hospitals. He therefore insisted that his state is free of the virus.

[gottago2mexico]

Meanwhile the cruise lines continue to haul people northbound up the West Coast of the USA, through all those infected areas, exposing them unnecessarily to swine flu, when they could have been basking safely in the uninfected Mexican Riviera. Pretty obvious this decision wasn't health related.

 

I hope everyone who is missing out on the Mexican sunshine and going to places like Santa Barbara or Oregon instead is writing the cruise lines to tell them of this fallacy and your unhappiness, or cancelling outright instead of having your money wasted by their hijacking of your vacation.

[mjl1960]

There is a serious disconnect somewhere here.

[ses]

We got back today after being on the Saphire. We made the best of it and had good pool time, good food, read a good book, and met some really awesome people but I'm so bummed to have missed Mexico. I know they did what they was best but coming home to check my mail while on vacation was so weird! (We docked in San Diego and I live about four miles from the cruise ship terminal.)

[bobnsofi]

yep, we think the Sapphire is the best of all the local ships.

 

TV interviewed the Splendor passengers in the RAIN in San Francisco.

 

Much better to stay in the sun, like you'all did!

 

We have till Monday 5/4 to decide on Splendor's $100 on board credit, or future cruise credit on the 5/10 sailing. We are 100% FCC, rather than Victoria & Vancouver.

 

Hoping for a Miracle to reschedule to Mexico.

 

Oh Well!

[Cruiser63]

This comes from Yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/med_swine_flu

 

Looks like things might get better soon!

 

Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said the virus that has killed 19 people in Mexico and sickened at least 506 apparently peaked here between April 23 and April 28. A drastic nationwide shutdown appears to have helped prevent the outbreak from becoming more serious, he said.

"The evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase," Cordova declared.

He said officials would decide Monday whether to extend the shutdown or allow schools and businesses to reopen on Wednesday.

We all hope that our prayers are working and this virus dissapears.

 

Louis

[mjl1960]

This thing has been so totally blown out of proportion in my view - both by the CDC and Carnival. Carnival would have done their customers much better by staying down south in the warm waters. I bet there would have been a lot fewer disgruntled passengers on board. What made them decide to take a ship full of passengers dressed for Mexico to a rainy and cold SF is beyond me. Also, I think they were premature closing the ports when there had been no cases of Swine Flu reported anywhere near the MR to that point.

 

The CDC blew it because there are more deaths every year with normal flu in the US than there has been with this Swine Flu. What will now happen is the next time they say the sky is falling, people will ignore the warnings and there will be a problem.

[gomexico]

I believe there has been an under-reporting of the seriousness of the influenza in Mexico, not an exaggeration. The Mexican government reclassified some of the deaths and is not counting others in the totals - to, I further believe, to protect the tourism industry. Some people always have to attack the messenger - in this case the Mexican media and other media sources who only report what they're told by "official" government disclosures - instead of putting jokes and games aside and trying to understand the seriousness of a new influenza strain such as this. The cruise lines did the responsible thing in this matter and should be commended, not criticized. The rapid death this particular influenza has caused in Mexico is cause enough for alarm.

[mjl1960]

I believe there has been an under-reporting of the seriousness of the influenza in Mexico, not an exaggeration. The Mexican government reclassified some of the deaths and is not counting others in the totals - to, I further believe, to protect the tourism industry. Some people always have to attack the messenger - in this case the Mexican media and other media sources who only report what they're told by "official" government disclosures - instead of putting jokes and games aside and trying to understand the seriousness of a new influenza strain such as this. The cruise lines did the responsible thing in this matter and should be commended, not criticized. The rapid death this particular influenza has caused in Mexico is cause enough for alarm.

There may be a lot of truth to what you say about Mexico protecting it's tourism unfortunately. I believe that the cruise lines probably did the right thing protecting not only the passengers and crew, but the mexican people also, as who knows - a passenger or crew member may have had it and would have been able to spread it in Mexico.

[gottago2mexico]

I believe there has been an under-reporting of the seriousness of the influenza in Mexico, not an exaggeration. The Mexican government reclassified some of the deaths and is not counting others in the totals - to, I further believe, to protect the tourism industry. Some people always have to attack the messenger - in this case the Mexican media and other media sources who only report what they're told by "official" government disclosures - instead of putting jokes and games aside and trying to understand the seriousness of a new influenza strain such as this. The cruise lines did the responsible thing in this matter and should be commended, not criticized. The rapid death this particular influenza has caused in Mexico is cause enough for alarm.

 

They have reclassified the "suspected" totals that were initially reported, under supervision of and in coordination with the WHO, because only 38% of the suspected cases turned out to be swine flu, the other tests were negative.

 

From The Associated Press:

 

"The latest figures from Mexico suggest the virus may be less lethal and infectious than originally feared. Only 38 percent of suspected cases have turned out to be swine flu, and no new deaths have been reported since April 29."

 

The WHO has confirmed this, and has many scientists in Mexico City processing these results.

 

The idea that the Mexican goverment, after shutting down the entire country for a week, including tourist areas, and suffering devastating economic impact, is trying suddenly now to protect the tourism industry, just doesn't make sense. The tourism industry is already devastated, and it turns out, for no reason.

 

CNN: SWINE FLU NO MORE DANGEROUS THAN REGULAR FLU, NAPOLITANO SAYS

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/04/swine.flu.main/index.html

 

There never was swine flu in the coastal areas, only in central mexico, but those areas are still suffering almost total loss of income due to the misreporting and hysteria that went on in those early days. The Mexican government has taken this very seriously since the beginning, with more drastic steps than any other government to control the flu, at great economic loss. The facts are borne out in the reporting by CDC, Homeland Security, WHO, and others, it's not just the Mexican government releasing secret information - it's verified. If they were just trying to save the tourism industry, they sure didn't do a very good job.

 

Sorry the facts just aren't bearing out the hysteria.

 

The media mis-reported speculation as fact and wildly fearmongered for ratings, and are now sheepishly retreating as the facts are being uncovered.

[WINEMANVISALIA]

THE FLU IS A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS AND MORE WIDESPREAD THAN YOU REPORT...

HERE IS FLU MAP

http://healthmap.org/swineflu

 

IT IS NOT IN MEXICO'S INTEREST TO REPORT THE CASES...SO UNTIL World HeALTH oRGANIZATION... GIVES THE ALL CLEAR WHY SHOULD WE POTENTIAL CRUISERS RISK OUR HEALTH...

 

in my college days, i remember reading IBSEN'S "AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE" ABOUT A guy who reported contamination in a new resort and he was blasted by all the powers that be...its tough to stay true when money is at stake!

[gottago2mexico]

Cool map, but I'm sticking with the WHO as the global authority, and their stats are the ones I've given, as well as who's recommendations I've posted:

 

WHO: NO RATIONALE FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

http://www.who.int/entity/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/public_health/travel_advice/en/index.html

 

WHO MOST RECENT UPDATE, SHOWS CURRENT CONFIRMED CASES

http://www.who.int/entity/csr/don/2009_05_04a/en/index.html

 

The current WHO statistics indicate:

 

Baja California Sur (Cabo): 0 Cases

Sinaloa (Mazatlan): 0 Cases

Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta): 0 Cases

 

For comparison:

 

New York: 73 Cases

Texas: 41 Cases

California: 30 Cases

 

Not my opinion, the findings of CDC and WHO. Check em out.

["Wandering Wino's&quo]

THE FLU IS A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS AND MORE WIDESPREAD THAN YOU REPORT...

HERE IS FLU MAP

http://healthmap.org/swineflu

 

IT IS NOT IN MEXICO'S INTEREST TO REPORT THE CASES...SO UNTIL World HeALTH oRGANIZATION... GIVES THE ALL CLEAR WHY SHOULD WE POTENTIAL CRUISERS RISK OUR HEALTH...

 

in my college days, i remember reading IBSEN'S "AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE" ABOUT A guy who reported contamination in a new resort and he was blasted by all the powers that be...its tough to stay true when money is at stake!

 

Thank you for a voice of reason. There are people out there that are more then happy to report their version of what is happening without consideration for reality. Be aware and be careful.

[gottago2mexico]

Thank you for a voice of reason. There are people out there that are more then happy to report their version of what is happening without consideration for reality. Be aware and be careful.

 

That rascally WHO, at it again. Now the US Dept of Homeland Security has joined with them in this grand conspiracy to save Mexico's tourism. Luckily we have Anderson Cooper to give us the real story.

 

Seriously folks, I do understand the panic this has caused, and certainly there was a reason for the actions that were initially taken. But, as the facts bear out the reality of the situation, results and findings are released, and the tests are completed, top officials are faced with letting the public know that most of this scare turned out to be overreaction and media hype, and that things aren't as bad as they once feared. These are not my opinions, they are documented facts. What industry a person works in does not change the credibility if the statements are supported by documented facts, no matter how much you've been told to distrust Mexico.

 

The following are just a few resources for you to verify what I've said. Just because I said it doesn't make it not true - facts are facts. The Health Map posted previously is a collection of news articles and eyewitness reports, and differs significantly from the WHO confirmed findings. Note their top category is "confirmed or probable", not "confirmed", which is all that really counts since we now know its symptoms match those of the regular flu.

 

WHO: NO RATIONALE FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/public_health/travel_advice/en/index.html

 

NAPOLITANO: SWINE FLU NO WORSE THAN REGULAR FLU

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/04/swine.flu.main/index.html

 

HYSTERIA OVER SWINE FLU IS REAL DANGER, SOME SAY

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/03/swine.flu.react/index.html?section=cnn_latest

 

MEXICO PLANS TO LIFT SWINE FLU SHUTDOWN

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/story?id=7494506&page=1

 

HEALTH OFFICIALS BEGIN TO EASE PUBLIC ALERTS ABOUT SWINE FLU

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/health/06flu.html?ref=world

 

SWINE FLU MAY HAVE ORIGINATED IN CALIFORNIA

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518572,00.html

 

SWINE FLU PALES COMPARED TO OTHER VIRUSES: EXPERTS

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090505/hl_afp/healthfludisease_20090505020148

 

OFFICIAL WHO/PAHO SWINE FLU MAP

http://ais.paho.org/flu/sm/en/atlas.html

 

OFFICIAL WHO UPDATES

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

 

The data is out there, folks. It wasn't in the beginning, but it is now. Sorry to be the one that has to be the bearer of good news. Again, not my opinion, but the opinion of WHO, CDC, and USDHS. If you don't believe what they say, that's your right, but don't shoot the messenger.

["Wandering Wino's&quo]

That rascally WHO, at it again. Now the US Dept of Homeland Security has joined with them in this grand conspiracy to save Mexico's tourism. Luckily we have Anderson Cooper to give us the real story.

 

Seriously folks, I do understand the panic this has caused, and certainly there was a reason for the actions that were initially taken. But, as the facts bear out the reality of the situation, results and findings are released, and the tests are completed, top officials are faced with letting the public know that most of this scare turned out to be overreaction and media hype, and that things aren't as bad as they once feared. These are not my opinions, they are documented facts. What industry a person works in does not change the credibility if the statements are supported by documented facts, no matter how much you've been told to distrust Mexico.

 

The following are just a few resources for you to verify what I've said. Just because I said it doesn't make it not true - facts are facts. The Health Map posted previously is a collection of news articles and eyewitness reports, and differs significantly from the WHO confirmed findings. Note their top category is "confirmed or probable", not "confirmed", which is all that really counts since we now know its symptoms match those of the regular flu.

 

WHO: NO RATIONALE FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/public_health/travel_advice/en/index.html

 

NAPOLITANO: SWINE FLU NO WORSE THAN REGULAR FLU

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/04/swine.flu.main/index.html

 

HYSTERIA OVER SWINE FLU IS REAL DANGER, SOME SAY

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/03/swine.flu.react/index.html?section=cnn_latest

 

MEXICO PLANS TO LIFT SWINE FLU SHUTDOWN

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/SwineFlu/story?id=7494506&page=1

 

HEALTH OFFICIALS BEGIN TO EASE PUBLIC ALERTS ABOUT SWINE FLU

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/health/06flu.html?ref=world

 

SWINE FLU MAY HAVE ORIGINATED IN CALIFORNIA

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518572,00.html

 

SWINE FLU PALES COMPARED TO OTHER VIRUSES: EXPERTS

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090505/hl_afp/healthfludisease_20090505020148

 

OFFICIAL WHO/PAHO SWINE FLU MAP

http://ais.paho.org/flu/sm/en/atlas.html

 

OFFICIAL WHO UPDATES

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

 

The data is out there, folks. It wasn't in the beginning, but it is now. Sorry to be the one that has to be the bearer of good news. Again, not my opinion, but the opinion of WHO, CDC, and USDHS. If you don't believe what they say, that's your right, but don't shoot the messenger.

 

Thank goodness, if this outbreak proves to be less deadly then what the world's top scientists and doctors thought it might be. Secretary Besser on Sunday morning said "even if the swine virus doesn't prove as potent as authorities first feared that doesn't mean the U.S. & World Health Organization overreacted in racing to prevent a pandemic, or worldwide spread, of a virus never before seen."

I wonder what some of the media's "talking heads" would be saying if we had taken less action and it proved to be more deadly?

Again it has been made very clear that we are not out of the woods yet, as a big concern is a possibly harder return of the virus when the regular influenza begins here.

As I mentioned before this is my concerns as a traveler and I have no other motives for my opinions.

Happy news is always appreciated especially in today's world.