We decided to wait because the information we were getting from the internet was presenting some really different information from that being presented by the mainstream media.
The authorities in mexico City were quoting figures of 159 deaths while the WHO was saying there were only 9 deaths. Clearly a discrepancy this large pointed to some very large problem. In the end we found out that the Mexican government had no swine flu testing facilities and were sending the tests to Canada with a 5 day delay to get the results back. Clearly their numbers were guesswork and in all probability included standard flu deaths and possibly others with similar symptoms. As the WHO numbers began to rise, the Mexican numbers began to fall at a much faster rate. Currently the WHO claims that there have been 60 confirmed deaths in Mexico 99 less than originally reported.
Because of healh needs of our own it was necessary for us to visit Mexico City for treatment of a chronic condition. We have been here 5 days and have asked everyone we have met whether they know of anyone who had swine flu and we have not found a single person. Consider that we are visiting a hospital daily for treatment and have talked to the hospital personel and still have found no one with any knowledge of anyone with swine flu. People here like us were very scared. In the end the city has gone back to work and is dealing with the economic impact of the week of no work and no income.
Where we live in Puerto Vallarta, the economic effect has been devastating. May is usually a slower month, but this May there are no tourists there. The travel warning from the State Dept. has effectively stopped people from travelling to Mexico. So far there have been no documented cases of swine flu in Puerto Vallarta. Business are open, but clients are missing. I hope the truth of the situation will begin to emerge and people will realize that this is another example of media hysteria.
