"I think swine flu is very different from a normal flu because I just couldn't get out of bed."

They prescribed me Tamiflu and I am now feeling much better now.

Which probably indicates that you were going to get better anyway or you didn't have swine flu [recent WHO reports indicate 80% of Mexican swine flu strains are resistant to this drug].

? oh dear.

I read that earlier today and though the same ! ?

We're due to fly to Mexico 2 weeks tomorrow.

On getting to work this morning, every new person who arrived in the office from our team asked what's going to happen with our holiday.

I'm not panicking (yet). Unless WHO or FCO say don't travel, the holiday will be going ahead anyway so worrying won't do anything about it.

I'm seeing my doctor tonight for something totally unrelated but I might ask if it's worthwhile getting the flu vaccination as it's a similar strain.

Oh dear. ?

It never fails to amaze me when people feel the need to promote a bad cold to the 'flu, as if a bad cold isn't hideous enough! Flu is ghastly, so ghastly and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

My BiL is going to Mexico next week (well if the FO allow it, apparently there are rumours that a press conference tomorrow will announce a rise in threat level which could stop travel from other countries) and my MiL is already convinced he is going to come back, infect us all and then we'll all die. Or something like that. ?

I'm not sure I would go to Mexico at the moment as my immune system apart, it does seem like there is going to be nothing to do or anyone to speak to! I've no idea how one would manage to keep a 6ft distance from all persons at all times. Sorry Alison, I've just seen your post! ?

And you need to give those within 48 hours of symptoms IIRC and her interview makes it sound as if she was ill for a week before she was treated. ?

I'm still chuckling about posts on another forum I use. Houston, Texas is 4 hours from Mexico but some of the American users are terrified to even go there, never mind Mexico! Despite on of the users who works for a branch of WHO telling them it's beeswax, people are saying there is no way you should travel to mexico without taking a does of Tamiflu with you, just incase. The WHO user is full of some very good advice but the "ARGH! WE'RE GOING TO DIE" massive are the overwhelming majority. 😄 Intrestingly though, the WHO user wouldn't go near the infected areas in Mexico without reason.

Alison, are you going to Cancun? I made this map to show MiL to stop her updating her will and convince we won't all die. 😄 Apart from the far right which is obviously Cancun, all the other markers are the known infected areas. (hope it works)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=uk&ei=ipv0SYeXD-XKjAejkZjDDA&hl=en&source=embed&msa=0&msid=105304874429357487434.00043f2100196ed73fdd7&ll=20.303418,-101.425781&spn=74.725094,158.203125&z=3

Our foyer at work is now filling with reporters eager to speak to somebody from the World Influenza Centre. ?

Mrs M - see this map too: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&z=5

I read that this morning and liked the fact that she went to hospital and then later on says that the people who can actually make it to the hospital don't have swine flu. She also admits that the doctors weren't clear on whether she actually had swine flu - but let's not let that get in the way of her 15 minutes of fame, eh?

Mrs M & Flowery - thanks for the maps.

We're going to Playacar - about an hour's drive south of Cancun (although we fly in to Cancun).

Trip Advisor is full of panicky tourists - quite amusing to read yet also worrying. One British bloke has replied to the note specifically for UK travellers asking what happens when a case gets confirmed in the UK (which it will - he says) - he's asking will these people thinking of cancelling their holidays be leaving the country?

We'll just wait and see - we can't do anything about it anyway unless WHO or FCO say otherwise - and from the reports on trip advisor, Thomson have told worried travellers they will be offered a refund or a transfer. So I've made a list of 3 back up options, just in case.

Another of the forums I go to is full of government/big pharma conspiracy theories already. From what i've heard although its been confirmed outside mexico it doesnt seem to be as serious. None of the students ill in NY (confirmed cases) even had to go to hospital.

The first case in Europe has been diagnosed in Spain and now 1600 suspected cases in Mexico.

An EU official has said not to travel to affected parts of Mexico and the United States unless necessary. Tourist areas currently aren't affected.

The WHO Emergency Committee is meeting is now today instead of tomorrow and expected to raise the threat from 3 to either 4 or 5, which could lead the UK FO to ban travel and meaning people could get transfers/refunds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8020676.stm

ABTA has stopped flights to Mexico City. BA passengers returning from Mexico are being questioned.

I'm now chuckling at the business news.

Travel and tourism companies have gone down, including BA by 9%. The company which manufactures Tamiflu (of which there apparently is enough of to give to 25% of the UK and is expected to work for Swine Flu) has gone up. A fish manufacturer has shot up and they think it's because people will stop eating pork so will buy more fish. ?

I hope this is the pandemic which gets rid of half the worlds population. what a triumph that would be.

That means either you or MrsNick has to make the ultimate sacrifice ?

I don't understand why people still, in this day and age, confuse flu witha cold. its not that hard to get.

not really. still, if one of us died from it it be tough titty wouldnt it. the world could do with 50% less people. in fact, 75% less would be better

It's that sort of talk that's going to cause mass panic [makes mask out of bog roll and gaffer tape]

My PIL are due to fly to Mexico City this weekend and spend a day/night there before connecting on to somewhere else.

There are no direct flights to where they are going from the UK. They also have some time in M.City on the way home.

Would you go?

Nick will be taking himself off to a cupboard to hide in and will have internet connection to check on his newly invested fish manufacturer shares but no more contact to the rest of the world until there is only 25% of us left.

ABTA are apparently (an ABTA lady has just been on news) grounding flights to Mexico City so I'm not sure they'll even get the choice. EU have issued non-essential travel advice but the UK haven't issued their own advice yet.

Suspected case in Manchester.

Last time I had flu - as opposed to a heavy cold - I couldn't get out of bed either.

So I guess I must have had swine flu back in the early 1990s, and have clearly had a very narrow escape.

UPDATE: I was in Manchester on Saturday! So I've probably brought the virus down with me to the South via London. Sorry about that.

Of course you should!

The two in Lanarkshire are on anti-virals and they will know about whether it's Swine Flu by 3pm. Apparently they aren't even that ill, just felt poorly getting off plane. Now everyone who feels ill (be it cold, sniffle, flu, headache) and has been on holiday are going to convince themselves it's Swine Flu. There are going to be so many "possible cases" that it will get silly.

If I meet anyone who has been on to Mexico, I should take my 5 day stockpile of anti-virals. ?

I'm going to Majorca in a week - don't panic me.

Were of to florida in two weeks, trying very hard not to panic!

I ate in chiquito yesterday & now feel ill should I be in isolation?

I didn't spot the 'Sport' headline at first, and assumed the two were connected... ?

I was going to have guacamole and tortilla chips for lunch. Obviously that's not a good idea now

?

Well, I don't speak Spanish, so I'm clearly safe.

We tried to have a Mexican takeway last night, but their number was unobtainable.

Now I know why ? [roftl]