Swine flu world pandemic
 

Today the WHO (world health organization) raised the threat level phase 6 the highest level, l,m due to be setting off on a overland trip across Russia and the Stans in 2 weeks so l,m guessing theres going to be borders closed because of this.

any ideas what we the overlanding community should expect?

Good Question
 

Yeah I read this today. Just watching the news now. Im starting my globe trotting adventures this year, now im done with college, and im not overly worried that countries may 'close'. Interesting statistic is that around half-a-million people die a year from regular flew. I summarised from the WHO press meeting that the primary reason for the virus to be updated to pandemic level is to ensure poorer countries benefit from immunisations and cash support, as its generally close nit/poor standard of living villages that breed these diseases (where humans live in close contact with animals).

It is interesting to see how a virus effecting 21st century Earth is being combatted, but I think governments arnt going to sacrifice trade and tourism incomes easily.

Maybe we need some kind of information base (a sub forum/sticky) where travellers can add on any information about how Swine Flu is effecting there area of travel.

Very good idea..

Melbourne seems to be the epicentre for H1N1 at present. I caught it 6 weeks ago in Malaysia. It laid me low for a week with high temperature and typical flu symptoms. I isolated myself at home and only my wife managed to catch it from me, but she threw it off in 24 hours.

Being an asthmatic, my problem is that I now have a residual opportunistic bacterial respiratory tract infection that won't go away. I often get these after a flu outbreak and they can take up to 6 months to throw off.

Garry from Oz.

In the western world I think the the risk is low. We have huge stockpiles are antivirals and good health care.

I think about 1400 people have caught it in the UK with only 1 death (A 38 sottish women with underlying complications).

I can't see it as a reason to hold back on any traveling. 1000's of people die in the western world due to normal seasonal flu but that doesn't stop you leaving the house.

Swine Flu!? Hell you see the death rates from car and bike wrecks. Do not get near one! It will get you!

But in Mexico it is sill a big deal. The USA has a health advisory for out for it.

Washington state has 50 in hospital for it, 3 dead
USA 45 dead, can not find numbers for people in the hospital but must be in the 1000s

About as bad the normal flu from all accounts. Stay out of areas with large numbers of people and the funny masks people think will keep them safe do not, its so they do not spread there bugs to others.

On the plus side trips and vacations (holiday) to Mexico are going cheap. There open as is the USA.

Statistics
 

Here are the BBC's numbers; BBC NEWS | UK | Swine flu: Country by country

nah
 

i wouldn't worry.