Virus?????

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Lisa Cai

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Might help ease your mind

Ok, this is only my second post so here goes....

My husband, some freinds I are going to the Riu Bambu Feb. 27th. One of our friends was driving me crazy with questions about the illness that people are reporting SO.....
Here is some info I got yesterday from my travel agent WHO IS ALSO family.

The people that are coming back ill have been tested and retested.... it at NO TIME has been dertermined to be Norwalk. To simplify it...it is a form of a really bad flu.

The Riu chain is going to the ends of the earth to keep all of their resorts in the DR to a point of hygiene that we could only hope for in our own hospitals. The Riu's even have staff installed at the washroom doors with wetnaps to make sure people are washing their hands After people use the washrooms they go in and sterilize it. Same with the bars and reception areas.

Riu is one of the top hotel chains in the world and are treating this issue very seriously. It is amazing the lengths they are going to.

I really think that common sense when travelling is what we need to use.

Hope this this helps ease peoples minds a little.

I know I can not wait to get back to the DR!

Lisa
 
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BushBaby

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Do I understand you to be saying then that The Canadian Health Authority is overreacting, that the Government warning was in haste, that the hospital diagnosis by some doctor was a lie & that the Canadian press is promoting the whole thing out of proportion??

My GOD I hope you & your "family member" Travel Agent are right! We had these scares some years ago by a woman Television personality in Britain who ran a TV Holiday programme & she was thought to have shares in the Barbados or Jamaican travel industry!! Could jealousy be rearing it's ugly head again?? ~ Grahame.
 
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Remote

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Folks who live in DR, like Escott and Hillbilly aren't likely to be effected because the contagion, whatever it is, is hitting folks living in close proximity in the AIs, seemingly exclusively in the Riu resorts. I have read enough posts on many boards over the last month to believe this thing is REAL and not to be scoffed at, no matter what a relative in the travel industry might say. People know when they've contracted a garden variety case of food poisoning or overindulgence. Reports from the afflicited are much, much more serious.

Lisa Cai, head to the Riu Bambu of you feel that confident. By all accounts, this problem has hung on since November. Maybe it will be resolved by the end of next month. I hope for your sake it is. If not, I expect you'll come back to this site and apologize to those you accused of overblowing the problem. BTW, Sunquest tours, the largest tour operator in Canada and the exclusive tour operator for Canadian tours to Riu resorts, has stopped sending tourists there. Hmmmm ... could they perhaps know something your relative in the industry doesn't?

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2005/gastro050120_e.html
 
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caro

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Remote said:
Folks who live in DR, like Escott and Hillbilly aren't likely to be effected because the contagion, whatever it is, is hitting folks living in close proximity in the AIs, seemingly exclusively in the Riu resorts. I have read enough posts on many boards over the last month to believe this thing is REAL and not to be scoffed at, no matter what a relative in the travel industry might say. People know when they've contracted a garden variety case of food poisoning or overindulgence. Reports from the afflicited are much, much more serious.

Lisa Cai, head to the Riu Bambu of you feel that confident. By all accounts, this problem has hung on since November. Maybe it will be resolved by the end of next month. I hope for your sake it is. If not, I expect you'll come back to this site and apologize to those you accused of overblowing the problem. BTW, Sunquest tours, the largest tour operator in Canada and the exclusive tour operator for Canadian tours to Riu resorts, has stopped sending tourists there. Hmmmm ... could they perhaps know something your relative in the industry doesn't?

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2005/gastro050120_e.html
Click to expand...

I think holidays house tour in canada still continue sale riu vacation in pop...here in quebec
 
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Canadian-Diver

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Jan 8, 2005
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My thoughts ...

Hi all

A large group of us (60 people) are coming to the DR in late February. Many have concerns regarding the North Coast situation, as we'll be staying at the Playa Naco. I think Sunquest is being cautious as to not put their clients at RIU at risk until further investigations are completed.

Our travel agent (not Sunquest) have repesentatives at the Playa Naco and there have been absolutely no reports of any illness at the resort.

I am wondering if all the rain that has kept people on the AI's in "close quarters" and therefore the chance of spreading a flu bug escalates.

I have a close friend that was in POP area for a week during Christmas and he and his two children had absolutley no ill side effects from his visit.

I'll guess we'll have to wait and see how things develop.

CD
 
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cjewell

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Oct 11, 2004
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Some info if it helps

I am Canadian from Toronto more specifically moving to the north coast of DR in 3 weeks. I am getting all of these warnings from people close to me about this newest illness in DR and I just think it has been over exaggerated. Even today I went through the CDC website and other than the Malaria issues in Punta Cana this is all I found:

In The News
Gastroenteritis in Travelers Returning from the Dominican Republic
(Released January 14, 2005)

On January 11, 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was notified by the Ohio State Health Department about gastrointestinal illness in 18 of a group of 20 who had traveled from January 3-10, 2005 to the resort area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The majority of ill travelers complained of diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fatigue. None required hospitalization. The Ohio State Health Department and CDC are investigating to determine the exact cause of illness. Based on the clinical presentation, norovirus disease is suspected.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the ?stomach flu,? or gastroenteritis and can be found worldwide. Recent outbreaks have been reported on cruise ships in the U.S. The symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Although symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea can be severe, people usually get completely better after 1-3 days. It is important that people who are ill with diarrhea and vomiting drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Any traveler with persistent diarrhea and vomiting or fever should get immediate medical attention.

Frequent hand washing and attention to hygiene are important in decreasing the risk of contracting norovirus infection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


I didnt see anything about the north coast, or Rius for that matter. I also checked CNN's site and The World Health orgainzation site

Does anyone have a link to a government site discussing this or.... is all this hoop la (I am hearing here at home) all over a "new epidemic" - the snow ball effect of some tourists getting some major diarrhea?

I will still be moving in 3 weeks. Hell my tummy is usually upside down for the first couple weeks anyway just because of the adjustment
 
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Lambada

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Canadian Diver,
There is no problem with Playa Naco or ANY hotel in Playa Dorada. The Riu hotels are a long way from Playa Dorada, on the other side of Puerto Plata & then keep going. There is no problem in the town of Puerto Plata either, I live here. Clearly there is a problem at the Bachata, one case identified in Canada as Norwalk, one case identified in Canada as ecoli. Until we know what the real problem is, common sense says get your tour company to put you in a Playa Dorada hotel if you are booked to Riu Bachata. I have not heard of illness in the other 2 Riu hotels, Mambu & Merengue BUT guests from Bachata have access to these.................
From descriptions I have read it would seem that the transmission route is fecal-oral. Thus if you are currently at the Bachata, I would suggest swimming in the sea rather than the pool.......I don't need to be more specific, do I?

It seems to me that part of the problem here is lack of geographical knowledge, so that information is being put out that is causing alarm unnecessarily. Frankly, the could have ebola at Bachata (& they haven't!) & I would still go on living in Puerto Plata because it is miles away. Playa Dorada is even further away from the Rius than Puerto Plata is. If the travel agents selling these holidays had visited here they would know this.
 
Hlywud

Hlywud

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Lambada

You are right if Travel agents ever visited they would know. That is a point, they sell and know diddly squat about where they are sending their clients. Many never have been to the DR, they see pretty brochure pictures and that is it.
Tour companies organize FAM trips (familiarization) and many T/A's do not go because it costs them money. The best T/A is the independant owner who works in his own shop and then you deal with someone who is not just an employee, my own guy has been to the DR and other locations many times and escorts groups, but his staff nada, they stay and sell, and even phone me for recommendations when they have a client sitting there asking questions.

The problem exists in the Riu complex (Maimon) a 3 resorts, there has been very little reported sickness in resorts anywhere else, oh sure the odd case here and there but that can be from many causes, overindilgence being one.
 
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Ken

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It isn't just the travel agents that get it wrong, it is also the Canadian government. They cause people to think that a localized problem that may or maynot really exist is prevelant throughout the country.
 
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Canadian-Diver

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Thanks Lambada

Lambada said:
Canadian Diver,
There is no problem with Playa Naco ......
Click to expand...

Lambada:

Thanks for your comments and I agree totally with them. We are having a meeting about it and I am going to "echo" your comments. I am sure it will put all those that were concerned, at ease.

Thanks kindly

CD
 
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Lisa Cai

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Jul 9, 2004
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Not what I said

Remote said:
Folks who live in DR, like Escott and Hillbilly aren't likely to be effected because the contagion, whatever it is, is hitting folks living in close proximity in the AIs, seemingly exclusively in the Riu resorts. I have read enough posts on many boards over the last month to believe this thing is REAL and not to be scoffed at, no matter what a relative in the travel industry might say. People know when they've contracted a garden variety case of food poisoning or overindulgence. Reports from the afflicited are much, much more serious.

Lisa Cai, head to the Riu Bambu of you feel that confident. By all accounts, this problem has hung on since November. Maybe it will be resolved by the end of next month. I hope for your sake it is. If not, I expect you'll come back to this site and apologize to those you accused of overblowing the problem. BTW, Sunquest tours, the largest tour operator in Canada and the exclusive tour operator for Canadian tours to Riu resorts, has stopped sending tourists there. Hmmmm ... could they perhaps know something your relative in the industry doesn't?

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2005/gastro050120_e.html
Click to expand...
Alright....
This is why I don't make many posts and only read the information that I find interesting.

I did not say that anyone was "over reacting". I also did not say that "Doctors were liars" and I certainly did not say that the "Government was acting in haste"

I will not come back to this site to apologize for passing along information that I received from a VERY reliable source that I thought might ease peoples minds. I am sorry that I even tried.

I know you all are reading what I wrote about a "VERY reliable source" and are thinking "ya right" well, this person is not just a travel agent.However I will not disclose who it is.

I thought that people might actually like to hear what I had to say. It certainly helped our group.

I will answer you last question...if that's what it was...."Could my relative not know what they are talking about"........hmmm?????
No, since they are part of one of the groups you mentioned. They are very well informed.

Sorry that I shared at all.
 
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Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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There is a virus circulating on the North Coast now, nothing major, just the usual virus. I'm down with it today and I know others who are, too.

There is a lot of sickness now due to the cold, wet weather we have been having for weeks and weeks. I know it is hard for occasional visitors from the cold climates to believe. But the bodies of those of us who live here, whether Dominican or expat, are badly strained by weather like we have been having. I called the doctor I go to in Puerto Plata, specializes in respiratory problems, and she said that lots of people are sick with the same thing I have.
 
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Ken

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Lambada said:
I didn't know there was a virus on North Coast Ken. Do you mean la grippe? Haven't come across anything else in Puerto Plata...........yet! ;)
Click to expand...

Lambada, never sure what is virus or grippe since they are oth usually viral in nature. Re Puerto Plata, my doctor is there as are most of her patients and she said there is a lot of sickness right now. If the bug hasn't bit you, keep ducking.
 
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Lambada

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Ken said:
Lambada, never sure what is virus or grippe since they are oth usually viral in nature. Re Puerto Plata, my doctor is there as are most of her patients and she said there is a lot of sickness right now. If the bug hasn't bit you, keep ducking.
Click to expand...

I feel large doses of preventative vitamin C coming on............. ;)
 
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Angel_04

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hola everyone.. I have been keeping track of this 'mystery' virus and what has been going on in the DR and in Canada. I was just watching the news and unfortunately missed the whole story--but did hear something about 2 planes in Toronto that were grounded due to the mystery illness (whatever it may be--norwalk or whatever)... I saw images of people on the plane with masks etc.. So, my question is this.. does any one know anything MORE about what is going on. I heard something about people being advised NOT to travel to the North coast of the DR... Anything that you can share would be appreciated ... Thanks in advance.
p.s sorry, the 2 planes were coming from the DR and I suppose the people on board were being 'checked' or going through some sort of screening as a precaution... not sure...
 
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LauraP

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Jan 10, 2005
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News Article cont'd

Sorry, had meant to mention this,... on both planes total, there was only one case of 'suspected' Norwalk,... remaing cases (12 or so?) were a flu virus.

I believe I heard on 10:00 news that the suspected case of Norwalk, is actually thought to be flu as well.
 
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