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Ebola and Travel
Old 10-09-2014, 11:47 AM   #1
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Ebola and Travel

I would usually be putting together European trip plans now and getting DW to buy in. Spain had been on the list this year. With it becoming obvious, ebola will move into Europe to some extent, is anyone besides me delaying decision making until the situation becomes more clear?

I think our handling of the Dallas incident was done poorly. Hopefully, the learning experience won't be too costly and no further cases will develop. I don't see Europe doing as good a job as we did in Dallas.
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Old 10-09-2014, 11:56 AM   #2
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We have a trip to Germany and Switzerland already booked for next spring, nonrefundable tickets on Icelandair. If the tickets weren't already paid for I might think about cancelling. That's just me, I wouldn't say that out loud to anyone I know.

If it gets to the point that travelling to Europe from the US becomes hazardous then we are probably all hosed.
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Old 10-09-2014, 12:19 PM   #3
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If it's not Ebola, it's enterovirus, other diseases, or even nasty colds... good thing I have zero desire to travel in the first place, or I'd be torn in two about it!

Honestly, if you get your immunizations before you go then that would cut back on the likelihood of catching SOME diseases. As for the others, like ebola or the common cold, just wash your hands a lot, don't touch other people, be careful about any unsafe food/drink preparation, implement any other generalized or specific good health practices you might think of, and hope for the best.

And be of good cheer! Ebola may be more common here than abroad by the time you get back, the way things are going. Or not.

P.S. - - if Spain is on your bucket list, please don't let this ebola scare stop you! None of us are getting any younger and if you really want to go, you owe it to yourself and you should go, IMO.
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Old 10-09-2014, 12:46 PM   #4
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Well, since I already live in Texas, even though 650 miles south of Dallas, I'm pretty sure we'll still go back to Europe next year.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:01 PM   #5
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Go to Spain. Just make sure you don't change planes anywhere in Texas.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:15 PM   #6
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I'll comment on my own post. Right now the ebola situation is undefined. We don't know if it will become widespread or be easily contained. We don't know if an effective treatment and possibly even a vaccine will be quickly developed. I'm not abandoning the idea of going to Europe. I'm sitting back and waiting a bit.

Another issue is the cost of a trip. If European travel tanks out of ebola fears, there will be bargains to be had in all sorts of locations. In 2009 during the market drop, we saved a lot on a river cruise. It was 2 for 1 and not the scam pricing advertized by Viking.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:21 PM   #7
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Buy your hazmat suits now and go on your trip without fear.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:26 PM   #8
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2B I am being cautious and am staying off of international planes until we know more, which shouldn't be too much longer. But then I am a worry wart when it comes to things like this. Read the Washington Post article about "How Ebola sped out of control". The article is a good history of how things happened, who failed, an explanation of why the US is now involved and the potential exponential transmission.

How Ebola sped out of control | The Washington Post
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:48 PM   #9
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We have a Christmas Danube River cruise slated in December. Right now the plan is to go barring any sort of outbreak or travel advisory. We have a rail trip planned out for Europe next spring, but are holding off pulling the trigger just in case.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:49 PM   #10
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I would think that the travel industry (hotels, airlines, travel agents, tour companies and all those who support them) would be putting huge pressure our the various governments to get on top of this problem not matter what the current cost. If it gets seriously out of control, the costs to the entire globe will be astronomical.
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Old 10-09-2014, 01:58 PM   #11
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This is not related to us booking flights and trips and all that, but I wonder how airline industries are going to cope about this? I wonder if they start wearing gloves and such, you think??

I have a trip scheduled in December going through one of the airports that will start screening. What would happen if I had a flu with a moderate fever? I wonder if the immigrations officers at the airport wuold be wearing latex gloves by then?

I don't mean to hijack the thread but am just thinking out loud.
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Old 10-09-2014, 02:04 PM   #12
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Do y'all remember SARS and how business travel slowed down for that infectious disease?

I am flying out of Texas to NY this weekend. I will meet many people from all over the world over the next 3 weeks. I did get my flu shot a couple weeks ago.

Oh, I also participate in a US government infectious diseases scientific working group. Is there anything I should know before I go?
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Old 10-09-2014, 02:27 PM   #13
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Travel to Europe already booked for next summer. No worries with the exception of trying to figure out ever changing baggage allowances. Often have a week or two in East Africa during the winter months. If the opportunity arises this year, I'll be on my way.
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Old 10-09-2014, 03:10 PM   #14
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I have a trip scheduled in December going through one of the airports that will start screening. What would happen if I had a flu with a moderate fever? I wonder if the immigrations officers at the airport wuold be wearing latex gloves by then?
Unless you are going to West Africa they won't be screening you. That is, they won't be screening you unless things change significantly and the location you travel to has become high risk. As for latex gloves all the TSA screeners wear them now when they paw thru your bags.
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Old 10-09-2014, 05:58 PM   #15
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Unless you are going to West Africa they won't be screening you.
Oh, that makes more sense. Thanks.
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Old 10-09-2014, 06:15 PM   #16
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Oh, that makes more sense. Thanks.
Yea, Africa is a big country.
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Old 10-09-2014, 06:31 PM   #17
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If it's not Ebola, it's enterovirus, other diseases, or even nasty colds... good thing I have zero desire to travel in the first place, or I'd be torn in two about it!

Although the D68 enterovirus is more severe this year, there isn't an epidemic. The 24 hr news cycle blows it out of proportion. So far it has mostly affected children. The virus was discovered when I was 2 yrs old. It's likely most of us are immune. It probably caused one of our colds when we were younger.

I get tired of the news distorting the risks. It 's a the disease of the month.

Most travel should be ok but we 'll see if the epidemic can be contained.



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Old 10-09-2014, 06:38 PM   #18
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I probably would no go to Europe, Ebola or not. But if I was going to Europe, Ebola would not stop me. Ebola is not the problem in Africa, it is the poverty, customs and lack of sanitation that makes it as bad as it is.

We will see if in Dallas any more cases arise. Several people were in the same apartment as a Ebola victim, at least a few should catch it. I am guessing none will.

We have better sanitation here in the USA, and do not leave Ebola stricken bodies lying around.
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Old 10-09-2014, 07:21 PM   #19
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Yea, Africa is a big country.
Is that you, George??
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Old 10-09-2014, 07:33 PM   #20
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Hey, 2B,
Don't worry about it.
From what I have read about the mode of transmission, it is unlikely to become a pandemic. Transmission seems to be by direct contact.
Spain! I wish....
Cheers,
Ed
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