Swine Flu Orlando

[The Interpreter]

...Dr. Barry Sieger, an infectious-diseases specialist with Orlando Health, said theme parks, where thousands of visitors from throughout the country and the world congregate under cramped conditions, could provide conditions for viruses to spread.

"Ideally, you have to have close human contact. When you have people coming from many areas, particularly epidemic areas, and you get them together in a room where the ventilation is not good, you have conditions for the virus to spread," Sieger said. "Where there's good ventilation, the chance of the virus spreading is limited."...

See also an interesting situation regarding internal email cited in the article.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/sm...0,3916061.story

[UnrealNightmare]

That's why I take Airborne before I got to those kinds of places.

[windshawne]

I think this whole thing is being blown out of proportion. Sure, its very contagious and all, but does anyone remember the Hanta virus that was on the reservations out west years ago? That was a bad one...this is too, but we're going to see more of this in years to come with overcrowding and such. TB is making a comeback too.

[gigacoaster2k]

I think this whole thing is being blown out of proportion.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. Sure, amusement parks are a great way to spread viruses. Guess what? So are shopping malls, grocery stores, fuel stations, pay phones, restrooms, banks, bars, and churches.

Also, remember the West Nile virus scare, the anthrax scare, and the bird flu scare? I'll believe it when I see it.. and I doubt I will.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

My Dad and my Uncle were going to join us at Kings Island this Saturday for a nostalgic walk through. We'd been planning this for months. Now they're afraid to go because of the news of this "outbreak". Sigh.

[cassie_KY]

Hi all, I work for Public Health and the swine flu deal is "my baby" I guess you'd say.

I just wanted to mention, take what the media says with a grain of salt (the size of a front end loader). Yes, there are cases in the US. Yes, a little kid died in Texas last night/this morning. But there isn't a need to panic. The US isn't shutting any events down (we have been on conference calls regarding the Derby for example).

Mexico is being hit hard. I read where they found Patient Zero who is a little kid. He got well and is doing great (which is wonderful to hear!). Mexico doesn't have the health care like we do in the United States and many places down there are overcrowded and don't have the best sanitation. Comparing the US to Mexico isn't an apples to apples thing.

What our Commisioner of Health is telling us- cover your mouth when you cough. Wash your hands with warm water and soap several times a day. If you are sick, stay home and do your best to stay away from sick people. If you are a pretty healthy person and do the latter, you should be good to go!

[gigacoaster2k]

Cassie, I agree with you about the US and Mexico being different as far as health care and sanitization. My mom said the same thing on the subject, and isn't too concerned about it. I think that even if the flu does start to spread throughout some of the states, I doubt that flu cases will be as serious here as they are in Mexico.

[cassie_KY]

Giga, you have the best outlook! What you said is what we are being told by the CDC and the WHO. It is difficult to continue broadcasting that message with the media fluffing the stories.

Dr. Hacker (our Commissioner) had told us that if we go about 5 more days and not see a case, our state should be in the clear. I personally think we will see a few additional cases pop up, but it won't reach a pandemic (this is correct spelling) in the US.

It takes more time to test for this strain of influenza. The cases that we are seeing identified are people who have had it for awhile and they have seriologically tested positive and are not "new cases" (people just contracting it).

I want to say here that to families that have lost loved ones, I don't want to trivialize their loss. That would be devastating and my heart goes out to them.