Departing May 12th & Swine Flu....

I've been wondering the same thing, we leave May 15th but from what I've read its not being passed easily from human to human at this point, more from pig to human so I don't think that they are going to ban travel (at least not yet!). I'll be following this to see what others have to say!

I'm headed to Paris and Amsterdam that same week, and I'm not worried. It's entirely possible that government agencies on both sides of the Atlantic will advise against non-essential travel, but that won't keep me from traveling. There is always some crisis (terrorism/recession/flu) going on in the world. I look at this way: if it's not one thing it's another...enjoy life while you can, and just go for it.
Ironically I also have a vacation booked for Mexico City in August. It's for the Mexico V USA World Cup qualifier...as long as the match isn't going to be played in an empty stadium (they're current doing this), I'm going...pandemic or not.

You need to give your husband some worry lessons. And NO ONE can answer your question. Don't worry about things you cannot control. If it is bad enough that travel restrictions are in place, then you probably will not want to go. But till then keeping on planning.

We are leaving May 12 for Italy as well. I'm extremely nervous about travel restrictions because of swine flu as well! My husband keeps telling me not to worry, but I've put so much time and money into this month-long holiday that I can't help it! Has there ever been travel restrictions like that in the past?

I doubt they would "hault" travel to Italy. Europeans are much more worried to be coming this direction! (the EU has asked people to cancel all "non-essential" travel to the US)

Thanks everyone for your replies! I am not worried about being "advised" not to go, since I would go even with an advisory, I am worried about my flight being cancelled or US citizens not being allowed into europe. However, this doesnt sound like the case so far....I hope we all have healthy and happy holidays!

I will respond the same way I have responded to the other people on this board who have posted the same question:

Do you realize how many thousands of people cross the Atlantic every day? Do you know how badly the European economy was hurt after 9/11 when no one could travel in or out of the U.S.

The "STUPID" EU Health Commissioner has advised Europeans not to travel to the U.S. unless it's essential. Considering the size of the U.S....that would be like us saying, well, they do have one case in Spain, so don't go to Copenhagen.

I believe that screenings will continue at airports when you arrive and if you have flu like symptoms may not be allowed to enter the country you're traveling to, but there will not be a total ban on travel.

If you have not already done so, and if it is not already too late to do it, I would check into possibly buying travel insurance that would cover any and all contingencies should this situation arise.

A friend who works in travel insurance said today they were told they could not issue policies to anyone travelling to Mexico. Hopefully it will not go farther than that because without travel insurance we would have to cancel our trip.

Get some filter masks for the airline and hand washing stuff. Hand wash often. The airport is the vector. Once you are though that, you are clear.

Think about what you touch on the plane and in the airport. Don't touch your eyes, or your mouth, your anus, or other areas that go to the internal with your hands if they are unwashed. There are only so many ways a virus gets into people. Mostly, its by touching the areas around the eyes.
The deal is that you wash hands first before going to the bathroom, so that what is on you doesn't get in you.

Otherwise; enjoy your trip.

And understand that the media loves a good Pandemic Story.
30,000 or so people die of "a flu" anyway in the US per year. Nothing new here. Its just a good story since TV is fueled by Drug Companies' advertising.

Regarding the plane...I always carry a travel pack of antibacterial wipes. I use them to wipe down the tray table, arm rests, and anything else I might use. These things are rarely washed.

I also rarely put anything in the seat pocket. Take a look at them sometime. They are usually filthy. That's where people put their trash.

Another thing that's becoming popular is putting a bit of bacitracin just inside your nose. Some claims this helps to keep them healthy and not catch anything.

My wife and I are leaving on the 17th of May.We are not concerned yet. I agree that the new media is probably making more out of this than they need to.I imagine they will screen you closely at the airport. We have bought hand sanitizer and have masks just in case. Enjoy your trip