Couple's Trip to Mexico Marred by Swine Flu Fears

This story will look familiar to some of you. I first published it on AC in early May. A portion of the story was a press release issued to all Oklahoma media. AC was scared that I stole the information and yanked the story. I resubmitted and the story has set ever since.

I have decided to update the story and republish instead of waiting any longer for AC. So here is an updated version of what I had already published.

So far only 42 cases of H1N1 virus has been diagnosed in Oklahoma.

Earlier this month, I had the chance to interview my donut shop friend about her trip to Mexico.

Lacey Green and her husband Aaron arrived in Mexico on April 15 for what turned out to be a two week stay marred by swine flu fears.

"The first week was fine with no problems," she said.

"But the second week swine flu stories were all over the news and tourist sites were closed as were schools and government buildings."

She said the couple did suffer some panic and for a short time, wasn't sure when or how they would get home.

"They were talking about shutting everything down."

Green said word on the street in Mexico was that the virus began with swine workers.

"They said some workers had type A Influenza and that the germs morphed with bacteria found in pigs."

The couple spent most of their time in the Yucatan, which shows no confirmed cases of the H1N1 strain, according to Google's swine flu map.

The couple left Mexico and arrived in Houston, Texas on April 30.

Green said masks were not mandatory on the plane but most of the passengers chose to wear them.

She said there were no special precautions taken at either airport other than security.

"They took my pocket knife in Houston," she said.

Officials in Houston did hand out a list of symptoms to watch for.

"They told us if we developed any of these symptoms within three days we needed to see a doctor. It's been six days and we are fine."

The couple was back at work at the donut shop this week.

For those that fear the couple pose a threat through donuts, Pam Williams, public information officer at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said "There shouldn't be any dangers there as long as they are not feeling sick."

Williams said the onset of the virus is rapid and symptoms usually show within the first three days and not 14 days as some believe.

"People are urged to go home if they feel sick or have a fever. This is the same advice we give regarding the regular flu," she said.

It seems the donut shop owner was none to happy about the media reporting his employees had been to Mexico during the swine flu outbreak.

He called the paper and tried to tell us we had ruined his business.

We informed him that we had visited his shop after the story broke and the crowds were still there and the selection was still slim.

He said the shop was low on donuts because they were making as many due to a decline in business because of the story.

After growing frustrated because I refused to believe him he hung up on me.

Green assured me this week that customers are still crowding the shop and eating donuts.

At last check our county had nine confirmed cases of swine flu and none have been linked to the donut shop.

Williams encourages Oklahoma residents to call the flu hotline at 1-866-278-7134 for more information or log onto www.ok.gov/health.