Swine Flu? Has it spread to Puerto Vallarta Mexico?

Question

Let me know if you hear anything about the spread to Puerto Vallarta Mexico. I am planning a trip May 24th. Should I cancel or am I being paranoid?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I am actually planning to leave on the 9th. What I don't understand is this-- is the whole world insane???

This is another version of the flu. In the U.S., people get the flu whenever seasons turn. When people get the flu, they go see a doctor and get antibiotics. Then, they get better. Some don't, and they die. This concept may be new to some you, but, I promise, the flu has killed people long before April of this year.

How is this any different? It has a fancy name, whoa, the swine flu. That must be evil then, right? So, how many fatalaties does Mexico normally have during flu season?

As an American, I'm not worried even if I get the swine flu. Who cares? I, as well as every other person reading this, have had the flu before. I recovered. Plus, I don't take an antibiotic every time I get a cough. If I lived in a country where these types of pills were easily accessible, then, when I really needed one, they might not be as effective. Then, I suppose, I would be worried because my pill-popping habits would create a stronger opportunity for the flu to take me down.

Given the ignorance that is going on, it looks as though I will probably be cancelling my trip. Not because I am worried about the flu (swine version), but because everybody is freaked out and, therefore, all the things that one would do on vacation are now closed!!!

Maybe I could be a capitalist and still go, only to sell surgical masks and hand sanitizes. I wonder what that market is like right now? Maybe sell some placebo pills that are a "newly discovered" vaccine for the swine flu? lmfao.

Anyway, I ask the readers of this post, please calm down, then at least take pleasure by the fact that you are, indeed too, surrounded by morons.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I am totally in aggreement with you! I called my doctor and they are not offering any vaccinations or antiviral meds! They said, "Dont go, are you nuts right now, haven't you been watching the news?" I was livid! They are soooo ignorant. Last year alone 26,000 people died of the flu! Flu is flu!

Answer 2

if it was me i wouldnt be going anywhere near mexico, america or canada.

better to be safe than sorry, plus i have a feeling things will get worse before they get better.

xxx

Answer 3

Update 10:09 EST -
W Paris... I saw you on another blog. I'm going back to all the places updating them w/my news. Your news has just about stopped me from going, but it's really too late to change now.. we are just going to be really careful.
I decided to kick off my new blog now (versus some point in the next few months) and will be chronicling our experiences going to PV, in PV, etc., if you are interested... strunny.wordpress.com. I have only posted once, I'm going to post again tomorrow on my way and I'll mention W Paris's case for sure and whatever else is going on.


There are 18 unconfirmed cases north of PV, but they are all quarantined. I'm not too worried, just going to be health-conscious and clean. My friend and I are traveling to PV tomorrow for one week. Our airline offered to let us fly elsewhere and the condo owner said we could come later in the summer instead, if need be though. But later in the summer probably won't work for me, so unless something crazy happens today we are still going. Our 3rd friend who is supposed to go doesn't want to go though. I just heard all restaurants & clubs in PV got closed for a week, just in the last 12 hours. I'm not going to party so it doesn't bother me as much, it'll probably just save me $. But I'm going to see what my other friend says..
PS I heard the PV thing here, but can't find it on the news yet. This guy just posted this though.

Update.. (a couple hours later than my original post) - good news - for the 18 cases in Jalisco I mentioned above, they have been confirmed as NOT swine flu.
In other news, Puerto Vallarta has closed all clubs - but not restaurants. Just as a precaution.

Source(s):

http://www.examiner.com/x-2026-SF-Gay-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d25-Should-I-be-worried-about-the-swine-flu-in-Puerto-Valllarta#comments
http://guadalajarareporter.com/content/view/24493/58/

Answer 4

Sara, pls post back when you return. I am concerened, as I am going to PV next month. Let us know how the trip was and be safe!

Answer 5

There have been no confirmed cases in PV yet. I along with 65 family members and friends are scheduled to leave May 11th to attend my brothers wedding there so I hope this settles down by then. Unless they completely restrict travel there, I will be going. I may try to get a Tamiflu prescription to take with me as a precaution but I think the media is blowing this way out of proportion.

Answer 6

As of noon, EDT, April 27, it has been reported that there are several cases of person exhibiting flu like symptoms in Puerto Vallarta, but the test results to confirm it as swine flu had not yet been returned.

Source(s):

News report available on the itnernet.

Answer 7

Hi!
I live here in PV (from Vancouver, B.C.)and you have nothing to worry about-as of right now anyway. I have friends arriving on May 29th, they are just waiting to see what happens. Once you arrive, you will just need to be extra cautious. They have closed some night clubs and restaurants in town until May 6th just to be safe. I have 2 links to send you from todays local paper. Also, someone answered you about confirmed reports of swine flu in PV, and that is NOT true...
http://banderasnews.com/0904/hb-govorders.htm
ALSO........
http://banderasnews.com/0904/hb-swinefluupdates.htm

Source(s):

BANDERAS BAY NEWS

Answer 8

Yes please post I am supposed to go May 23rd....

Answer 9

Hey Shantel...I was wondering if you could keep me posted on the flu and PV. My sister and I have a trip booked for May 16th - 23rd. We are staying at the resort Riu Jalisco. So I am wondering if you hear anything if you could let me know. As well if you think it's ok to go there, your opinion would be great. My sister has never been to Mexico and we got a great deal, so we really want to go.

Thanks So Much!



Ok, so I have no idea how to add to this thread after answering, so I did it this way. Hope people see it. Apparently Sunquest (the agency I was travelling with)n has cancelled all their flights into Mexico. :-( So I'm not going anymore. Oh well C'est La Vie!

Answer 10

Im leaving for the Riu Jalisco in PV April 29th until May 4th...Not sure if we should be overly concerned or just go and have a great time...As of right now Apple Vacations has not canceled anything regarding PV and told us to take lots of pics and have a blast...

-Limo picks us up in an hour for the airport...Can't wait to get there and relax on the beach..we will be cautious but are expecting another great trip to Riu Jalisco

Answer 11

Well, I was there April 3rd through 17th. My sister caught Swine Flu around the 14th. Today is th 27th and she was just diagnosed with it in Santa Barbara California. I feel fine. Now my boyfriend has diahrea and head cold-same way hers started. Work health and safety comission sent him home and said don't come back until your tested/better! A handfull of people we knew in PV were starting to get sick before we left. I wouldn't go if I were you because we don't know how bad it is going to get and if they end up saying you can't come back for a bit!

Answer 12

The last thing people should be doing right now is traveling into an area with higher incidence of a VERY contagious disease and then returning to your home town to possibly spread the virus before you know you're sick.

My husband & I just canceled our trip to PV for this very reason. We were supposed to go this Friday, May 1st. While I too would like to go have fun it's more important to not spread the virus to my community. There is NO resistance to this virus in the general population and this is not a normal flu; vaccines are at least 4-6 months away from being widely available.

I suggest postponing your trip until this deadly virus has passed. Think of the general population and not just your vacation.

Answer 13

We just got back to Seattle from PV today. People at the resort we were at were hearing about this on CNN, just like everyone else... but there wasn't much of any indication... Just this morning we saw a lady in a restaurant wearing a mask. We used hand sanitizers like crazy - and of course washed our hands frequently, but we always do that when we travel... so far so good. I was the most concerned on the flight coming home - trapped with hundreds of people who cough and sneeze.

Answer 14

My family and I are in Nuevo Vallarta now through Friday, May 1st. We went into PV yesterday around 4 pm, walked around the Malecon, did some shopping and saw some people with face masks on but other than that, all stores and restaurants were open. We had dinner at Barcelona Tapas which was very good, I would recommend it highly. We returned to our hotel after dinner. We are being cautious about our contact with other people, we are avoiding crowded areas, we are eating in open outdoor restaurants, washing our hands, etc. I have read that there are still no confirmed cases of the swine flu in PV.

Answer 15

I am inj Puerta Vallarta right now. IT IS SAFE, and uncrowded cause of low season. Be safe and clean, and avoid crowded bars etc. and you will have a great time. NO where in the world is safe from swine flu right now.

Source(s):

I am HERE

Answer 16

Thank you for starting this thread/blog. My fiancee and I are honeymooning in PV from May 25th - 31st. We will be staying at a major resort. Should we worry about traveling outside of the resort? We are very good with taking precautions while traveling.

Will keep a close eye on this!

Answer 17

I recently vistied Nueva Vallarta for spring break my friends family also tagged along. My friends brother is thought to have swine flu. he was hospitalized for 2 nights and has gotten better. I myself threw up once. If i were you i wouldn't take the chance.

Source(s):

Self Experience

Answer 18

I was planned to go to PV on May 2nd for a week. Looking forward to it for many months! I would like to hear from locals as to whether the place is shut down, will I be eating food I buy at the grocery or going to the neat restaurants. However, I will decide to go or niot in next day with Jamaica as an alternative.

Answer 19

I am going PV on May 15 to the 21st and staying at Riu. I am not sure if I should cancel either? can someone keep me posted please.

Answer 20

Tammy M and Erik -
I, too, am staying at Riu Jalisco and going from May 11 to 16. I'm 12 weeks pregnant. Have you heard anything? Are you going?

Answer 21

I'm not going until late July...but I will definitely be keeping an eye on the situation...if anyone will be returning close to the time that I'll be going please leave an update as to the conditions...Thanks

Answer 22

I have a trip planned for May 20-27th also...we're staying in the Golden Crown Paradise Hotel. I've been really looking forward to this trip. If we're careful when we go around town, and just keep personal hygiene up, I'm hoping we would be ok?

We do plan on taking a set of anti-virals down just incase. I would love to be kept up to date also, see what's going on.

Answer 23

I'm taking my daughter to PV for her 21st birthday, May 21-28, staying at an 8-unit time share, Ochos Cacades in the hills... we would be crushed if we have to cancel, and as of now, are planning on going. Obviously it is a serious thing, but I think the media is just hyping it all up. Remember the bird flu a few years ago - all hype and then it just went away. Anyone agree?

Answer 24

Katie - I'm staying at the Golden Crown Paradise from May 2-8. I'll post an update of how things are going down there.

Answer 25

Unless I'm prevented from crossing the border, 'm head to Puerto Vallarta with three other friends May 19-27th. I've decided to take precautions and get some sort of Vaccine.

I think allot of this is overblown media hype but that's just me and I'm in no ways telling others what to do.

Answer 26

I am going to Puerto Vallarta on 5/2-5/9. I called the resort this morning and was told that there are no problems there. Everything is being cleaned extra carefully and the food servers are wearing masks as an extra precaution. She said that if you didn't watch TV or look at a newspaper,you wouldn't know there was any problem.She felt that I was more in danger being in New York than I will be in Puerto Vallarta. Will keep you posted when I return

Answer 27

I was scheduled to go to PV on May 8th - 15th but I am rescheduling for June. I am hoping things will have settled down by then. Please provide with an update... anyone that is still going in the next few days.