Swine flu updates from Cruise Critic

Hi everyone,

We're keeping a close eye on the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, which is not yet impacting cruise travel. You can read our coverage in Cruise Critic News, here http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3190

Just a note that our community manager, LauraS, and about 200 members and hosts are boarding Carnival Splendor today for a cruise to the Mexican Riviera -- and we anticipate that swine flu will be a hot topic onboard. LauraS tells us that they will keep us posted on what's going on in terms of announcements and cruise travelers' concerns about swine flu, so check back with us for the latest.

Melissa

Thank you for keeping us posted!

The information will be appreciated.

Nice job, CC! It's great to stay informed on issues such as these. Staying educated is much more helpful than those who attempt to incite panic without having all the FACTS.

Good that there is a thread where real information on how this is impacting current cruisers is up, thanks CC.

Good that there is a thread where real information on how this is impacting current cruisers is up, thanks CC.

totally agree....:)

Hi everyone,

 

We're keeping a close eye on the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, which is not yet impacting cruise travel. You can read our coverage in Cruise Critic News, here http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3190

 

Just a note that our community manager, LauraS, and about 200 members and hosts are boarding Carnival Splendor today for a cruise to the Mexican Riviera -- and we anticipate that swine flu will be a hot topic onboard. LauraS tells us that they will keep us posted on what's going on in terms of announcements and cruise travelers' concerns about swine flu, so check back with us for the latest.

 

Melissa

Thanks, Melissa!!!

:)

Good that there is a thread where real information on how this is impacting current cruisers is up, thanks CC.

I agree. I've already seen several threads calling this a pandemic!

Some should look up a big word like that before using it!

Thanks Melissa!

I agree. I've already seen several threads calling this a pandemic!

Some should look up a big word like that before using it!

The CDC & Homeland Security heads have both already called it a "pandemic" outbreak.

We will see if they are correct...

Like the other posters, I will be anxiously waiting for more information on this topic. Thanks Cruise Critic

The most important thing to keep in mind at this point is that the outbreaks in Mexico are concentrated near Mexico City -- there have been no instances of the illness along the coastline, i.e. in cruise ports. Again, there's been no change thus far from the cruise lines regarding plans to call on Mexico (although, interestingly, at least one airline -- US Airways -- has relaxed ticketing policies for travel to Mexico City).

Laura and the gang: we appreciate any information you are willing to share from your trip!

If the swine flu does impact ports of call, would Carnival change routes?

Thanks CC for any posts of what you hear on the ships. Im sure everyone is interested.

We live in Cancun ans so far we have heard that all of the cases are in the Mexico City area. We've also been told that they know what medicines work to treat this.

This certainly is the number one story on the newschannels this afternoon.

I guess they ran out of "New Dog in the White House" updates. :rolleyes:

Hi everyone,

 

We're keeping a close eye on the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, which is not yet impacting cruise travel. You can read our coverage in Cruise Critic News, here http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=3190

 

Just a note that our community manager, LauraS, and about 200 members and hosts are boarding Carnival Splendor today for a cruise to the Mexican Riviera -- and we anticipate that swine flu will be a hot topic onboard. LauraS tells us that they will keep us posted on what's going on in terms of announcements and cruise travelers' concerns about swine flu, so check back with us for the latest.

 

Melissa

CNN is reporting that the United States government declared a public health emergency today related to swine flu.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/26/swine.flu/index.html

This certainly is the number one story on the newschannels this afternoon.

 

I guess they ran out of "New Dog in the White House" updates. :rolleyes:

Yes, reports on FOX say folks are "freaking out" on twitter over this. They said they are tracking it on airlines and if someone is sick they are making them wear a mask. I can picture it now on cruise ships, with folks wearing masks.

(not to folks wondering about closing ports.... airlines are NOT cancelling the flights, just making folks wear masks).

We live in Cancun ans so far we have heard that all of the cases are in the Mexico City area. We've also been told that they know what medicines work to treat this.

I think this is important to emphasis this... Mexico City, not the ports. (at least yet).

Basically if you can avoid Norwalk (Norovirus) Virus, you can avoid this. Sure the symptoms are very different, but the same "wash your hands often" advice applies.

Actually... someone with Norovirus can seem undetectable for days... however with Swine Flu the person has flu like symptoms when they are contagious..

In My Opinion it will not be long before Infrared cameras are set up to detect people with fevers, much like metal detectors...

Updates come in pretty frequently on Web MD http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090426/swine_flu_20_us_cases_confirmed?ecd=wnl_nal_042609

The CDC & Homeland Security heads have both already called it a "pandemic" outbreak.

 

We will see if they are correct...

Here are a few tidbits from a cnn.com report:

Keiji Fukuda, the assistant director-general of the World Health Organization, called the outbreak "serious" on Sunday. Researchers are still trying to determine how easily the virus is transmitted person to person and it's too early to predict whether there will be a mild or serious pandemic, said Fukuda.

The U.S. government declared a public health emergency -- a step Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said "sounds more severe than really it is."

"This is standard operating procedure and allows us to free up federal state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation," she said. The outbreak "is of great concern to the White House," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, but, he added, "It's certainly not a time to panic." Neither Britain nor the United States have issued any travel warnings or quarantines.

Sorry to say it is more then just Mexico City. In fact the sick high school kids in NYC were spring breaking in Cancun.

Sorry to say it is more then just Mexico City. In fact the sick high school kids in NYC were spring breaking in Cancun.

 

Very Ture! Remember, Cancun is so very close to Cozumel.

Agree there is no reason to PANIC ... but, certainly, there is every reason to be Very Concerned.

Appreciate the Cruise Critic updates on this. Thanks!

If Cancun is a source, then why is there NO outbreak in Cancun?

Basically if you can avoid Norwalk (Norovirus) Virus, you can avoid this. Sure the symptoms are very different, but the same "wash your hands often" advice applies.

 

Actually... someone with Norovirus can seem undetectable for days... however with Swine Flu the person has flu like symptoms when they are contagious..

 

In My Opinion it will not be long before Infrared cameras are set up to detect people with fevers, much like metal detectors...

Unfortunately it is spread by sneezing and coughing so if you are in a confined space (elevator for example, or a plane) with someone who is infected then it is much easier to catch...:)