Deadly swine flu virus in Mexico

We leave May 19th for Cabo and are still going unless our flights are canceled. The only person Im worried about is my mom who has a weak immune system but she doesnt seem to be worried at all. In fact most of my guests seem to be taking this really well. no one has even mentioned canceling.Im so sorry for all who are having their weddings ruined because of this I cant even begin to think how you all are feeling right now. This whole situation is so upsetting especially since its out of our control. sending hugs!!!

Ok ladies, hoping this might help some of you. Perhaps a good thing to send out to guests or post on your wedding websites. It's encouraging and was official press released issued by the Dept. of Tourism from the Quintana Roo -- let's hope there will be more good news to come:

 

Here's the direct link to, they also post it in Spanish:

:: Secretara de Turismo del Estado de Quintana Roo

 

 

SEDETUR PUBLIC RELEASE - QUINTANA ROO KEEPS FREE FROM SWINE FLU

2009-04-27.Turismo

Cancún, Quintana Roo.

Cancún, Quintana Roo, April 27, 2009

 

QUINTANA ROO STATE SECRETARY OF TOURISM

 

PUBLIC RELEASE

 

“QUINTANA ROO KEEPS FREE FROM SWINE FLU”

 

 

Quintana Roo State Secretary of Tourism informs that the state is free from Swine Flu disease up to now, and that not a single case of the disease, or related cases have been reported at the main tourism destinations.

 

The detection and prevention plan implemented by Mexico´s Ministry of Health continues, by means of check points placed at airports, cruise and bus terminals, as well as permanent monitoring in the more than 77,000 hotel rooms operating in Quintana Roo.

 

The government agency also informs that tourism related activities develop normally in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Grand Costa Maya. All destinations remain attentive to the Health Authority´s directions.

 

Quintana Roo State Government is supportive of other Mexican states where the Swine Flu outbreak has taken place, and will be respectful of precaution measures and recommendations implemented in foreign countries in regard to international travel.

 

For the State Government the highest priority now is the preservation of health among all the population, including citizens and visitors.

wow, I've spent all day just trying to catch up on this thread! LOL

 

We are remaining calm. Fingers are crossed that there are no travel BANS to MX. This is just a flu, and there is effective treatment medication out there! We are going to tell our guests if they are worried, go to your doctor and tell them you're going to MX and request one of the 2 anti-virals they are recommending.

 

For now we are not even sending out an email. Waiting to hear what happens and how this unveils in the next several days. So far, the only people who have contacted me (surprisingly!) are FMIL and my Grandma.

 

The total IRONY in all this is killing me though! I was bitten by a "Mexican tick" (just another variety of tick, but it was in Mexico) 2 years ago and I have contracted Chronic Lyme disease from this which let me tell you is WAYYYYY worse than this flu! I sure wish Lyme would get this sort of media attention!!!!!!!!

 

I'm going to see my doctor on Monday - hoping he doesn't advise me against traveling. I really don't see the point - it is just a form of the flu. There are 22 MILLION people in MX City and only 150 deaths! That is not even 1% of the population!

 

I spoke with a friend in Mexico City today who has a background in Biology and she said they are all trying to remain calm. She's working from home, and wears a mask if she goes out or is around an infected person. She believes that the overuse of antibiotics there has led to a decrease in their immune systems (not sure if it's worse than OUR use of antibiotics??). She also said that their country is trying to contain it and trying to also contain what information gets leaked to the U.S. media because of our tradition of sensationalizing EVERYTHING. People all over the world are getting it, they are just focusing on MX because there people have died - that is what she said.

 

I'm concerned right now because of the Exit Screening in place. Since I have Chronic Lyme disease, some of the symptoms are similar ~ I obviously do not want to be detained because they think I have SF when really I already had Lyme. I am going to ask my doctor on Monday if he will write a statement declaring that I already had these symptoms due to a tick-borne illness, and my friend in MX has offered to translate it for me if necessary.

 

So, I have a pre-existing health condition, and I'm not worried about the flu...if that says anything... Like another Texas girl said, there are more confirmed cases here in my own state than in the state where I'm traveling which is Jalisco (we're getting married @ Las Caletas in PV where there are ZERO confirmed cases!).

 

I will let y'all know what my doc has to say. I'm going to ask him if I can take a script for anti-virals with me just in case since I'd be one of the ones "more prone" to contracting it (though I really sense deep down that I will be fine). Lyme is tricky and very complicated to treat (long story, don't have time to go into it here) so I'm hoping I can take the anti-virals. If not, I will just take plenty of hand sanitizer and maybe even wear a mask while at the airport/on the plane (though I will feel very silly doing that in my cute "Bride" tank top! LOL )

 

Hang in there girls!

 

Canadian brides - I don't know what to say.... this has gotten WAY out of hand. I am praying the U.S. does not impose a travel ban, but you know what - if it does, then like someone else said, I believe things happen for a reason - we may not understand that reason, but we will continue on. Try and think of the positives out there.

 

 

P.S. I have some sort of a "bug" (stomach issues, ear ache, congestion, etc.) and am having to try and convince my Grandma that's it's not freaking Swine Flu! LOL (sorry but I just have to start laughing at all of this fear, it's ridiculous).

MarieSam - Great article...thanks for sharing! Our WC said the same thing, but it's nice to know it's actually true!

I thought I would mention that I have read this on many many news sources today and just saw on the evening news, that pretty much all insurance companies in Canada and the States will NOT cover anything to do with this swine flu if you go to Mexico after the notice to not travel unless it is necessary travel to Mexico was put into place two days ago. So just keep in mind if you do go to Mexico still, that your insurance will do absolutely nothing if God forbid someone does get sick.

 

I am not trying to scare people, I just think as much as this may be a hyped up disease, that this is just another thing to keep in mind.

Jaime ~ I LOVE your attitude girl!!! You make me feel so much better, I hope my entire family and all my guests are as positive as you Can't wait to see those pics with you in your bride tanktop and mask!!!



No problem -- with so much press, it's hard to decipher what's "official" and what's hype. I'm hoping their stance stays as such, it's just so confusing though since there are some people who traveled to Cun and have gotten the swine flu bug, but like someone else said earlier, it could have been in the airport or plane....we'll have to wait and see! Hoping for the best*

Hi girls - my amazing FI just sent me this email - made me feel better and hopefully you guys too. Hang in there ~!!

 

 

Baby-

 

I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. You are my entire life and I feel bad this is all happening.

 

The one thing you don’t ever have to worry about is me. I’m right beside you here and feel the same stress you do. All the work and effort you’ve put in to making this a successful event is being challenged right now during this crazy time. I’m sorry. If all else fails………don’t ever forget you have me for the rest of your life and no matter what happens………we’re going to be together. We’re not the only ones going through this right now. There are thousands more.

 

I’m optimistic things will improve and if they don’t- we’ll come up with a plan B that will be equally as nice.

 

Hang in there. This is completely out of our control and we just have to trust it will work itself out. I love you more because of all of this. You will be my wife regardless and we will make our plans accordingly to go celebrate.

Thanks MarieSam ~ times like these are tough but positive attitudes REALLY DO HELP!

 

Everyone, take a deep breath and then just take 5 seconds and S-M-I-L-E! Seriously, try it. Something about tricking your brain.

 

Btw, I just received another email from my friend in MX City and these are some excerpts from her email:

 

(Yes, I told her about y'all, and also if you can't tell she's a holistic person hence the recommendation for using apple cider vinegar She is the lead bio-esthetician for SoPhyto Sophyto Organics - Professional Certified Organic Skin Care Products so she knows what she's talking about!)

Thanks MarieSam ~ while I know this is a public relations tool so it should be taken with a grain of salt I know that many of my guests are reassured by the fact that there have been no cases in Cancun.

I can't wait to just be there and have my first Pina Colada!

Yes def. consider they are trying not to lose business as tourism is of course the area's main source of income, so they are trying to keep people from bailing on vacays. But let's all hope the Roo remains unaffected.

A pina sounds good! But geez after all this unnecessary stress, I think I'd need something stronger, a couple of shots perhaps!!!!


Oh and another thing I've been keeping an eye on are the two maps that track possible and confirmed cases worldwide. Here are those links:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...C25.488281&z=5

Swine flu map - Wall Street Journal