SWINE FLU ALERT, BC Ferries, Airlines, ect.

[Koastal Karl]

I dont know if anyone has been following this recent virus outbreak in Mexico City but there are cases that have been popping up in Canada. I think there is about 8 cases right now. A few on the east coast, 2 now in Alberta, Vancouver and I just heard today a Victoria women has a mild case of it. As of right now I have no intent on going to Mexico. I think this should be mentioned on here cause of the transportation aspect of it. Recently I just read with this case of the Victoria women they started feeling sick before they even left Mexico, on the plane alot of people were coughing she said. I sure wouldent want to be the next set of passengers on that plane. After travelling by BUS and FERRY they were taken to hospital in Vic wer they said they were told they might have it.

I really hope BC Ferries is up to par on their cleaning duties in the next while cause I am sure there will be people returning from Mexico who travel back home on the ferries. I would hope the airlines are too with everything that is going on in Mexico. I mean you could hop on a plane in Vancouver going east that just came from Mexico you never know. Everyone needs to be really careful if your travelling by bus, ferry, plane, train, ect... You never know who could have it if the virus is lingering around these transportation areas and so on. Just thought this should be mentioned.

Be careful, wash your hands alot if your travelling on the ferries or planes or whatever. We dont one of us to come down with it.

I am going on an Alaska cruise the end of May. I sure hope the cruise lines coming north from the south dont bring any viruses from Mexico. But then again you can get viruses from anywhere.

[Balfour]

This sounds very similar to the SARS outbreak of 2003 but even worse.

Me and my family were planning on going to Mexico this month too, although there was also talk of a Skier family holiday to Hawaii if Mexico doesn't work out.

[Neil]

Take reasonable precautions, yes, but we should keep things in perspective, too.

In the SARS panic, exactly 44 Canadians died, and most of those were elderly, or had compromised immune systems. Chances are many times that number die every year from viruses and commonly acquired illnesses that never make the news.

36,000 Americans die every year from regular flu related causes. So far the number of swine flu cases in the U.S. is less than a hundred, with no deaths. I know it's early, but so far the reality hasn't quite caught up to the hype. Let's hope it doesn't.

[Scott]

I found it amazing that some countries are adivising their citizens not to travel to Canada because of this swine flu. People are coming off planes at YVR with face masks on - I can't believe it. I really think this is getting way too much attention, but that could be my mistaken perception. Perhaps we need the overreaction to prevent it from becoming much worse. But, come on, you have an infinitely bigger chance getting food poisoning while on holidays in Canada than the swine flu.

[Northern Exploration]

Apr 28, 2009 22:36:17 GMT -8 Scott said:

I found it amazing that some countries are adivising their citizens not to travel to Canada because of this swine flu. People are coming off planes at YVR with face masks on - I can't believe it. I really think this is getting way too much attention, but that could be my mistaken perception. Perhaps we need the overreaction to prevent it from becoming much worse. But, come on, you have an infinitely bigger chance getting food poisoning while on holidays in Canada than the swine flu.

A certainly more people die of regular flu every year than will die of swine flu in Canada and the US. The people who have it here are making good recoveries as well.

[Balfour]

I think the reason why people here in Canada are recovering quickly is the better air quality. Since the Swine Flu infects the lungs, poor air quality would make it worse and potentially fatal in places with poor air quality such as Mexico City.