grubelice

Anyone got info/ideas/views on how SARS is going to effect travel to Oz in the next couple of months. Anyone flown recently. Is it going to be the plague of our times or is it just another big hyped up media scare now that Iraq has got a bit boring. There have probably been lots of stuff on SARS on here already but I can't be fagged to trail back.

Elaine

spuds

This is where you can find the SARS bulletin by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/...ratory_Syndrome

Thinking about flights eh? First step Elaine?

I heard stories about horror flights where everyone was wearing masks and stuff but that could be hype too.

You could always go via the US if it makes you feel better. We are going over in Oct via a stopover in Singapore (booked before all this came out) so we are desperately hoping they've got a lid on it by then!

Em.

bored_bean

ABTA said don't worry if you're passing through, it's if you spend some time that it's a worry. However since I've caught asian flu from the recycled air on a plane a mask is a sensible precaution. Is it any hardship to wear one? They only cost a couple of quid.

spuds

Just out of interest, how di you eat and drink for 18 hours?

ptlabs

While you probably won't get SARS from short-term exposure to a SARS carrier, prolonged exposure isn't recommended.

My brother dons what they call the doctor's FBG (full battle gear) when he works in the hospital, tending to patients who are suspected to have SARS. Three doctors in Singapore have died from the disease, and hundreds of civilians and medical personnel worldwide have also succumbed.

It's just a hype? Go tell it to the three babies in Hong Kong who were born prematurely because their mothers had SARS and were dying. Two of the mothers died shortly after the operation, while the remaining mother is recovering. All three babies are suspected of having SARS at birth and are in ICU.


Peter

bored_bean

Through your ears Seriously the one hour that you're eating and exposed is still better than 18 hours without.

andie

we are seriously worried, we go via singapore, 3 hour stop over. do they actually give you masks? ( not used ones i hope) it really is frightening isnt it ?? :scared: :scared:

Wendy&Mike

You can get masks here

Mike.

Chris000

The masks are only effective when dry- when wet with exhaled breath, ineffective.According to the lecture we had at work last week- average life of a mask-three minutes.Thats a lot of masks and the basic masks are ineffective anyway.Spend your money carefully.Katie.:scared: :scared: :scared:

AdamAnt

Chris,

I've always thought that masks were to reduce infection SPREADING FROM THE WEARER - they are NOT very effective PREVENTION.

Virus particles are very small and need specialized filters to remove 100% of them. I have a beard so a mask does not fit tightly anyway.

Do you have more info on the topic?

Chris000

The most accurate and up tp date info can be accessed on the World Health Organisation web site- Sars route of infection is THOUGHT to be by inhalation of droplets from infected people ie sneezing and coughing-but this is not 100% prooven as yet.Bare in mind that malaria kills more people in one day than Sars -at present.Kate.:scared: :scared: :scared:

AdamAnt

Hospital Infection Control Guidance for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Nicstids

You could always go via the US if it makes you feel better. We are going over in Oct via a stopover in Singapore (booked before all this came out) so we are desperately hoping they've got a lid on it by then!

Em. [/QUOTE]


Hi

Just to let you know that we got back from Aus yesterday having stopped over for 2 nights in Singapore. Nobody was wearing masks on the streets of Singapore, in contrast to when we flew over at the end of March when we went via Hong Kong. In HK I would guess 50 % of people were wearing masks - probably as many as 90% on the underground. All waiters in restaurants in HK were wearing masks. When we flew out of HK and touched down at Singapore for a couple of hours we were met by nurses fully gowned up and checking all passengers.

The general impression I get was that Singapore have very much got things under control due to their strict use of quarantine measures. Certainly we didn't feel concerned while we were there. Having said that though, I've had to take my son to the doctors this am to get a certificate that he's not exhibiting any clinical symptoms of SARS before they would let him attend!

The nice thing about Singapore at the moment is that there are hardly any tourists! You can get some good deals in the shops! It's not good for their economy though and I hope they find a cure soon....

spuds

Hi Nicstids,

Well that's nice to now anyway. Thanks for the info.

Em.

andie

Hi

Just to let you know that we got back from Aus yesterday having stopped over for 2 nights in Singapore. Nobody was wearing masks on the streets of Singapore, in contrast to when we flew over at the end of March when we went via Hong Kong. In HK I would guess 50 % of people were wearing masks - probably as many as 90% on the underground. All waiters in restaurants in HK were wearing masks. When we flew out of HK and touched down at Singapore for a couple of hours we were met by nurses fully gowned up and checking all passengers.

The general impression I get was that Singapore have very much got things under control due to their strict use of quarantine measures. Certainly we didn't feel concerned while we were there. Having said that though, I've had to take my son to the doctors this am to get a certificate that he's not exhibiting any clinical symptoms of SARS before they would let him attend!

The nice thing about Singapore at the moment is that there are hardly any tourists! You can get some good deals in the shops! It's not good for their economy though and I hope they find a cure soon.... [/QUOTE]

can i just ask if the plane was empty as well??? plenty of empty seats to lie across i hope. we go in 4 weeks via singapore.