Is this SARS virus scaring anyone?
- Thread starter ez
- Start date
crazymomof4
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2003
I am reading this tread with great interest. I almost started a thread on the same topic but did a search first and found this one.
Those who think that this is limited to only Asian lands are not reading up on it. Look how the "Spanish Flu" eventually affected every corner of the globe and that was before people were hoping all over in jets!
Originally posted by Blondie:
I'm becoming more concerned each day. Right now I have a dry, tickly kind of cough. I went online and it looks like you get the fever first. I have none. The site that I went on was really scary, much more so than the news sites. We have a family of 6, so if one of us gets it, we're sunk! Things spread through our house like wildfire. I'm particullarly fearfull for the "baby", our 2 1/2 year old.
I'm trying to remain informed but dwell on the positives (albeit, they are hard to find). Speaking of which, Goofyposter, where did you read this (whats NPR?):
If anyone else has read any positive info on this, please post it for us "worry-warts"
Those who think that this is limited to only Asian lands are not reading up on it. Look how the "Spanish Flu" eventually affected every corner of the globe and that was before people were hoping all over in jets!
Originally posted by Blondie:
I remeber reading about that back then. Since then I've never made the connection to SARS. Interesting that it may have been here sooner than recognized. The one 2 yo was to an ER twice but sent home, where she died. She most likely would have been admitted now, w/ docs knowing what they do.
I'm becoming more concerned each day. Right now I have a dry, tickly kind of cough. I went online and it looks like you get the fever first. I have none. The site that I went on was really scary, much more so than the news sites. We have a family of 6, so if one of us gets it, we're sunk! Things spread through our house like wildfire. I'm particullarly fearfull for the "baby", our 2 1/2 year old.
I'm trying to remain informed but dwell on the positives (albeit, they are hard to find). Speaking of which, Goofyposter, where did you read this (whats NPR?):
The current death rate that I've read is at 4%. Turned around that's a 96% chance of surviving. That's a little comforting.
If anyone else has read any positive info on this, please post it for us "worry-warts"
626
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2003
Yes, it scares me. I'm supposed to go to WDW in a month and a half and I'm worried that at the rate it's spreading that it could be all over the Orlando area by that time. With all of the people who go to WDW every day from different countries I think it's at least a possibility that Orlando could become one of the hardest hit American cities by this virus. After 9/11 I had no problem flying. The terrorism threat has never worried me too much but this is spread like a cold. Pretty scary! 
Last I heard, there were 5 confirmed cases here in NY. More worrisome for me is that at my office we have guests coming in all the time from all over Asia and Southeast Asia. We are having a staff meeting next week to discuss. Some staff members have proposed a plan that if anyone is having a guest who has come from Asia and not already been in the US for 10 days, asymptomatic, then the meeting must take place out of the office. We don't know if all of our program officers will agree to that, so right now, we just feel like sitting ducks and using Purell like crazy and hoping for the best.
And 6_Time_Momma and crs7568, I also thought of The Super Flu in "The Stand" when I first heard of it. Now I have visions of all of the cars stranded in the Lincoln Tunnel!
And 6_Time_Momma and crs7568, I also thought of The Super Flu in "The Stand" when I first heard of it. Now I have visions of all of the cars stranded in the Lincoln Tunnel!
Originally posted by 626
Yes, it scares me. I'm supposed to go to WDW in a month and a half and I'm worried that at the rate it's spreading that it could be all over the Orlando area by that time. With all of the people who go to WDW every day from different countries I think it's at least a possibility that Orlando could become one of the hardest hit American cities by this virus. After 9/11 I had no problem flying. The terrorism threat has never worried me too much but this is spread like a cold. Pretty scary!
-----------------------
Funny you should say that.. (well - no - it's not REALLY "funny", but you know what I mean..) There was an article in the Orlando paper the other day that I was reading on-line and they bascially said they are POSITIVE that there will be a severe outbreak there due to the fact that so many people travel to Disney World and Universal/IOA from all around the world.. They implied that it was not a matter of "if" - but more a matter of "when"..
As for my concerns.. Well - I'd been keeping tabs on it but wasn't overly concerned until Monday - when I learned that two people in my own town have been diagnosed with it.. Now I'm definitely concerned! Not for myself - but if I were to somehow infect my DH (who has cancer, lung, and heart problems) or if I infected my granddaughter.. All I can say is that if someone comes down with it where I work, I will not be working there anymore - especially since there have been recent reports confirming that the germs ARE in fact airborne and can live on inanimate objects (desks, phones, keyboards, door knobs, etc.) for a minimum of several hours..
I can't risk bringing those germs home to my DH so I'll do whatever I have to if the situation should present itself..And I also agree with everyone else - were it not for the war, we would be hearing a LOT more about this illness.. I also believe that the CDC is very thankful that our attention is focused elsewhere at the moment because this mysterious illness seems to have all the necessary components to turn into an epidemic and they sure as heck wouldn't want to have to deal with a panic situation..
Guess all we can do is hope for the best and keep washing our hands like crazy!!!!!!!!
Yes, it does concern me a lot. Especially since we just booked a trip to WDW in June and now I am wondering if it will be a good place to go since they get visitors from all over the world. (We got travelers insurance so we can cancel up until the day we are supposed to leave)
My kids (4 & 8) both had the high fevers about two weeks ago. DS8 went up to 104 and then he was fine. Didn't know DD's temp since she wouldn't let us take it. Then they both got the sniffles a bit. Didn't think much about it back then and figured it was just one of those things. I would certainly think differently now.
Jill
My kids (4 & 8) both had the high fevers about two weeks ago. DS8 went up to 104 and then he was fine. Didn't know DD's temp since she wouldn't let us take it. Then they both got the sniffles a bit. Didn't think much about it back then and figured it was just one of those things. I would certainly think differently now.
Jill
madonna31
<font color=9999FF>WDWWDS Entertainment VP<br><fon
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2001
I just realized that I posted this on Mar 30 - umm...what was that - 5 days ago???
Today (April 3) Canada's numbers are:
Canada: 165 cases reported. Seven dead.
It seems that the odds are 1 in 4 that you die from it...not very good odds unless its to win money if you ask me...
crazymomof4
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2003
C.Ann ~
Did that article you read give any predictions/guesses about "when" this outbreak would occur in Orlando. Our trip is for the 27th of Sept. I was hoping that this would have passed over by then.
JESW ~I've heard of travelers insurance but never had it. Can you get it AFTER you've put money into the trip (Deposit on house, WDW tickets)? Where do you buy it? How much is it? What does it cover? Sorry for all the questions. I'm panicking about how much we've already invested in this trip!
madonna31 ~ Math has never been my best subject, so maybe I'm looking at it wrong. How did you arrive at the 1 in 4 chance of dying from SARS? The last I read the overall death rate is 4%. If it was one in four wouldn't that make it 25%?
I like the 4% much better!
Did that article you read give any predictions/guesses about "when" this outbreak would occur in Orlando. Our trip is for the 27th of Sept. I was hoping that this would have passed over by then.
JESW ~I've heard of travelers insurance but never had it. Can you get it AFTER you've put money into the trip (Deposit on house, WDW tickets)? Where do you buy it? How much is it? What does it cover? Sorry for all the questions. I'm panicking about how much we've already invested in this trip!
madonna31 ~ Math has never been my best subject, so maybe I'm looking at it wrong. How did you arrive at the 1 in 4 chance of dying from SARS? The last I read the overall death rate is 4%. If it was one in four wouldn't that make it 25%?
I like the 4% much better!
grinningghost
<font color=green>Has a thing for the Swiss Family
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2002
For a while it didn't bother me, but now that it's hit Toronto pretty hard, yes, I'm concerned. We're not far from there. There have also been some suspected cases in NY state - not far from there either, obviously. My DD's Quebec field trip was canceled because of it. Yes, only 3% of cases are fatal, but someone has to be in that 3%, and I don't think anyone wants to be.
ez
<font color=green>Yoshi Lover<br><font color=deepp
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2000
Thanks guys, for starting this thread back up. It seems the virus has continued to spread since I initially posted, which is what I was afraid would happen, as that is what viruses tend to do. Thanks to all who admitted to a fear of taking their family to WDW. I'm glad to know I am not the only one who has such thoughts. We are supposed to go for several nights over May and June but I am really watching how this plays out. Just picture some of those lines at WDW, where they pack you in like sardines and you stand there forever. The people from all over the world and all the surfaces everyone is touching. Probably not the best place to be when theres a potentially deadly worldwide viral outbreak
I don't think the article stated "when" they expected this virus to surface in Orlando..
Actually, I was going to POST the entire article here on the CB when I read it, but quite frankly, I was a little hesitant to cause any concern for those who have trips planned already.. Now I'm sorry I didn't because I can't remember all that I read.. I'm going to try to see if I can find the article somehow - maybe if I do a search or something..
September is quite a long ways off.. Hopefully this won't be an issue by then, so try not to worry too much about your trip..
As for the travel insurance - I don't know anything about that at all.. Maybe someone else can offer the details you need..
I'm going to go look for that article now and if I find it I'll post it on this thread - okay?
Actually, I was going to POST the entire article here on the CB when I read it, but quite frankly, I was a little hesitant to cause any concern for those who have trips planned already.. Now I'm sorry I didn't because I can't remember all that I read..
I'm going to try to see if I can find the article somehow - maybe if I do a search or something..September is quite a long ways off.. Hopefully this won't be an issue by then, so try not to worry too much about your trip..
As for the travel insurance - I don't know anything about that at all.. Maybe someone else can offer the details you need..
I'm going to go look for that article now and if I find it I'll post it on this thread - okay?
Found it!!
---------------------------------
Sponsored by
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/science/orl-asecvirus01x040103apr01.story
Orlando expects invasion by virus
By Stephanie Erickson
Sentinel Staff Writer
April 1, 2003
With a deadly respiratory virus rapidly spreading across the world, local officials say it's a question of when -- not if -- it spreads to Central Florida, the destination of millions of tourists each year.
Although SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, has not yet been reported in Florida, some health-care workers already are taking extra precautions -- such as quizzing sick tourists more closely and donning face masks if a patient has traveled recently in certain parts of Asia.
"It very likely will make its way here," said Bill Toth, epidemiologist with the Orange County Health Department. "This is a worldwide destination."
The virus was first detected in Southeast Asia in November and has infected more than 1,620 people. So far, 58 people have died from the virus. In this country, there are 59 suspected cases in 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is no proven treatment. But on Monday, a United Nations official said international health experts expect within days to identify the virus causing the disease.
"I think we can identify the causative agent in quite a short time period. We think probably within a few days, at most a few weeks," said Hitoshi O****ani, the World Health Organization regional coordinator for SARS.
Last week, Orange County health officials were on alert during a floor-coverings convention that drew more than 20,000 people. Nearly 200 of the vendors at the Orange County Convention Center were from Asia, including three from Hong Kong.
"We were informed that a lot of vendors may have been in the Far East, and we also were getting information that SARS may be more infectious than first thought," said Dave Freeman, manager of the health-services division at Orange County's office of disaster and emergency services.
So his office sent convention-center officials information about what to look for and notified hospitals that the convention was going on.
Tom Ackerd, executive director of the convention center, said the next show to bring international visitors will be April 11, a kitchen- and bath-industry convention.
"We can't really prepare; we just have to wait and see," he said.
Employees at Florida Hospital-owned CentraCare in Lake Buena Vista are asking tourists more questions than usual -- and wearing face masks if a patient has been to Asia recently.
"They would probably be the first place to come in contact with this, being down there right in the heart of the tourist industry," Florida Hospital spokeswoman Stacy Heckman said of the CentraCare clinic.
Virus spreading in Asia
Such masks are a common sight in parts of Asia where the virus continues to spread -- 806 reported cases in China, 530 in Hong Kong, 91 in Singapore, and 58 in Vietnam, according to the World Health Organization.
California tops the list of affected states with 12 cases, followed by New York with eight. Like those states, Florida welcomes large numbers of visitors.
The Florida Department of Health has slightly modified its influenza-tracking system to monitor SARS across the state, spokesman Bill Parizek said.
The department has asked local health departments to be on the lookout for patients who became sick after Feb. 1 and have symptoms of SARS.
Lake County's health department has sent medical-alert letters to physicians.
"We are actively looking for anything that stands out, and we are in constant contact with the infectious-disease specialists at the hospitals," said Kevin Lenhart, spokesman for the Lake County Health Department. "It's very probable that we will see this in the Central Florida area."
A rising number of residents have been calling, asking whether they should be worried and what precautions they can take, he said.
"We're telling them what the CDC is telling us -- be aware of your health, be aware of your surroundings," he said.
Emergency center activated
The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is recommending that people postpone until further notice any leisure travel to parts of Asia.
Toth said Orange County Health Department officials have spoken with airport officials about flights from certain parts of Asia that have connections in England before arriving in Orlando.
"We wanted them to notify us of incoming flights from Asia via connectors," he said.
There are several such flights, he said.
If a passenger begins to show symptoms in-flight, airline employees should screen the passenger for signs of SARS and report the incident to the airport's tower, Toth said. Airport workers should then inform the county health department and the U.S. Public Health Quarantine Service in Miami, and the passenger would not be allowed into the airport terminal.
The health department also wants airport workers to screen some passengers.
"This is not your garden-variety cold," Toth said. "It's very severe. The people who get this will be obviously ill. People just need to be on guard for it."
Symptoms include a fever above 100.4 degrees, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Toth said health officials also are concerned with some passengers from Canada, where 44 cases and four deaths have been reported.
Airport not yet screening
Carolyn Fennell, spokeswoman for Orlando International Airport, said: "We are monitoring the situation, but there is no active screening going on at this point. We have not been directed to, because we do not have any direct service from Asia."
Health officials are not certain exactly how SARS spreads. They initially thought the virus was spread through close contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of people with SARS but now say it may spread easier than they initially thought.
"Hopefully they will be able to identify this and find some answers," Lenhart said. "We are handling it on a minute-by-minute basis until we get more information and direction."
Wire services were used in this report. Stephanie Erickson can be reached at serickson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5347.
Copyright © 2003, Orlando Sentinel
---------------------------------
Sponsored by
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/custom/science/orl-asecvirus01x040103apr01.story
Orlando expects invasion by virus
By Stephanie Erickson
Sentinel Staff Writer
April 1, 2003
With a deadly respiratory virus rapidly spreading across the world, local officials say it's a question of when -- not if -- it spreads to Central Florida, the destination of millions of tourists each year.
Although SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, has not yet been reported in Florida, some health-care workers already are taking extra precautions -- such as quizzing sick tourists more closely and donning face masks if a patient has traveled recently in certain parts of Asia.
"It very likely will make its way here," said Bill Toth, epidemiologist with the Orange County Health Department. "This is a worldwide destination."
The virus was first detected in Southeast Asia in November and has infected more than 1,620 people. So far, 58 people have died from the virus. In this country, there are 59 suspected cases in 22 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is no proven treatment. But on Monday, a United Nations official said international health experts expect within days to identify the virus causing the disease.
"I think we can identify the causative agent in quite a short time period. We think probably within a few days, at most a few weeks," said Hitoshi O****ani, the World Health Organization regional coordinator for SARS.
Last week, Orange County health officials were on alert during a floor-coverings convention that drew more than 20,000 people. Nearly 200 of the vendors at the Orange County Convention Center were from Asia, including three from Hong Kong.
"We were informed that a lot of vendors may have been in the Far East, and we also were getting information that SARS may be more infectious than first thought," said Dave Freeman, manager of the health-services division at Orange County's office of disaster and emergency services.
So his office sent convention-center officials information about what to look for and notified hospitals that the convention was going on.
Tom Ackerd, executive director of the convention center, said the next show to bring international visitors will be April 11, a kitchen- and bath-industry convention.
"We can't really prepare; we just have to wait and see," he said.
Employees at Florida Hospital-owned CentraCare in Lake Buena Vista are asking tourists more questions than usual -- and wearing face masks if a patient has been to Asia recently.
"They would probably be the first place to come in contact with this, being down there right in the heart of the tourist industry," Florida Hospital spokeswoman Stacy Heckman said of the CentraCare clinic.
Virus spreading in Asia
Such masks are a common sight in parts of Asia where the virus continues to spread -- 806 reported cases in China, 530 in Hong Kong, 91 in Singapore, and 58 in Vietnam, according to the World Health Organization.
California tops the list of affected states with 12 cases, followed by New York with eight. Like those states, Florida welcomes large numbers of visitors.
The Florida Department of Health has slightly modified its influenza-tracking system to monitor SARS across the state, spokesman Bill Parizek said.
The department has asked local health departments to be on the lookout for patients who became sick after Feb. 1 and have symptoms of SARS.
Lake County's health department has sent medical-alert letters to physicians.
"We are actively looking for anything that stands out, and we are in constant contact with the infectious-disease specialists at the hospitals," said Kevin Lenhart, spokesman for the Lake County Health Department. "It's very probable that we will see this in the Central Florida area."
A rising number of residents have been calling, asking whether they should be worried and what precautions they can take, he said.
"We're telling them what the CDC is telling us -- be aware of your health, be aware of your surroundings," he said.
Emergency center activated
The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is recommending that people postpone until further notice any leisure travel to parts of Asia.
Toth said Orange County Health Department officials have spoken with airport officials about flights from certain parts of Asia that have connections in England before arriving in Orlando.
"We wanted them to notify us of incoming flights from Asia via connectors," he said.
There are several such flights, he said.
If a passenger begins to show symptoms in-flight, airline employees should screen the passenger for signs of SARS and report the incident to the airport's tower, Toth said. Airport workers should then inform the county health department and the U.S. Public Health Quarantine Service in Miami, and the passenger would not be allowed into the airport terminal.
The health department also wants airport workers to screen some passengers.
"This is not your garden-variety cold," Toth said. "It's very severe. The people who get this will be obviously ill. People just need to be on guard for it."
Symptoms include a fever above 100.4 degrees, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Toth said health officials also are concerned with some passengers from Canada, where 44 cases and four deaths have been reported.
Airport not yet screening
Carolyn Fennell, spokeswoman for Orlando International Airport, said: "We are monitoring the situation, but there is no active screening going on at this point. We have not been directed to, because we do not have any direct service from Asia."
Health officials are not certain exactly how SARS spreads. They initially thought the virus was spread through close contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of people with SARS but now say it may spread easier than they initially thought.
"Hopefully they will be able to identify this and find some answers," Lenhart said. "We are handling it on a minute-by-minute basis until we get more information and direction."
Wire services were used in this report. Stephanie Erickson can be reached at serickson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5347.
Copyright © 2003, Orlando Sentinel
shelle94
<font color=green>Got sucked back into Everquest<b
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2002
We just had a case at a nearby hospital. The woman completely recovered, but it's still scary. The scariest part for me is my Mom is a nurse at that hospital. She does not work on the same floor as that woman was on though. It just seems more real now then it did before to me.
Michelle
Michelle
Baboo
<font color=navy>Kookie Kanadian Riddler<br><font
- Joined
- Dec 1, 1999
I'm mostly worried because my brother and his SO have been travelling around south east Asia since November and aren't due to come home until May or June. I'm not sure where they are right now but they have been in Singapore and Hanoi and were planning on visiting other places including China.
We have about 18 people in voluntary quarantine in the city where I live. This is because they were in hospitals in Toronto and MAY have come in contact with the people with SARS there. It really is scary how quickly and how far it can spread.
Hopefully, now that they have found the organism that causes it, they will figure out how to cure it and stop it from spreading.
We have about 18 people in voluntary quarantine in the city where I live. This is because they were in hospitals in Toronto and MAY have come in contact with the people with SARS there. It really is scary how quickly and how far it can spread.
Hopefully, now that they have found the organism that causes it, they will figure out how to cure it and stop it from spreading.
nativetxn
<font color=teal>Moderator<br><font color=red>Hono
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2000
Sars worries me not because I fear for my own health, but because it is my understanding that it is rampant in Toronto. People I care about deeply live in Toronto or live near Toronto.
Taryn, Kim, CC and all of the rest of my Canadian friends, please stay healthy.
Taryn, Kim, CC and all of the rest of my Canadian friends, please stay healthy.
crazymomof4
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2003
C.Ann
Thanks for posting the article! Very informative. Have a good evening.
Thanks for posting the article! Very informative. Have a good evening.
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