Avoid Swine Flu Blog » Swine Flu Update

Summer 200910 Travel Health Alerts

admin — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:24:06 +0000

Nobody wants to get sick on an overseas holiday! Much as travel insurance has freed us to truly enjoy other countries, including their rivers, food and people without the risk of coming home tens of thousands of dollars in debt from medical bills, prevention is always better than cure. The health landscape worldwide is constantly changing, as new strains of disease evolve and find resistance to current treatments, so it is important to check out current events in the world health arean before you leave the country. Today we look at what you should be aware of, for travel insurance and vaccination purposes, if you are travelling overseas during summer 2009/2010.

General Travel Health, Summer 2009/10

Managing your health varies widely from place to place in the world. A lot of us tend to assume that because the local people have survived relatively unscathed, that we will too. This is sometimes right – however in many cases local people have built up years of immune resistance to particular bugs. In some cases, the people that could not survive the pathogens in a particular area simply died as children. Here is some general health advice for travelling overseas in summer 2009/2010:

Always see a doctor several months prior to leaving and get all recommended vaccinations for the region you are travelling to.
Always get medical travel insurance
If you have a pre-existing condition, have a checkup with your doctor and devise a written management plan
If you need to take your own medication overseas, you will need a letter of authority to carry it from your host country.
Apply insect repellent regularly, stay away from local domestic animals, and follow rules for safe eating and drinking and safe sex.
Dengue Fever
Queensland has seen a major dengue outbreak over summer 2009/2010, and Cape Verde and Senegal have seen their first ever dengue outbreak (up to 1000 cases per day have been reported). If you are travelling from Queensland, it may be wise to carry a certificate of vaccination for dengue even if the country you are travelling to doesn’t usually have it. This will help you avoid logistics-related travel insurance claims.

Rabies

A rabies outbreak has been recently reported in Bali, and in Ghana several people have died from the disease. A post exposure vaccination is not available, and even people simply spending time bicycling and walking in rural areas could contract the disease.

Cholera

In Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, there have been several cases of cholera reported. In Malaysia one source is thought to be contaminated fish used to make crackers – what would usually be assumed to be a safe food. Six ice factories have also been ordered closed. This disease is vaccine preventable – if you have your needle you’ll be saved the hassle of claiming on your travel insurance.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever has gained a foothold in Brazil, where seven people have so far died and dozens more have been diagnosed with the disease. While Brazil doesn’t require that travelers into the country are vaccinated against yellow fever, it is strongly recommended. Holiday insurance might cover your pocketbook, but it won’t stop your trip being ruined!

Swine Flu Update

Some countries might impose quarantine measures if you are travelling with flu-like symptoms – a level of travel insurance cover that provides protection against logistical events is advisable if you have a cold or flu, so that you don’t lose out by missing a booking. You can be vaccinated against swine flu in Australia if you wish.

Stop wondering how to make money with blogs and beat the professionals at there own game

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 09:30:42 +0000

If your like me and spend a decent amount of time on the internet you can’t fail to notice the number of marketers that are making serious cash from selling there own products. But did you know that there are other avenues of making money online too? One such attractive way is blogging. Blogging has been around for a decade or so and its really only lately that the blogging community has exploded and guess what? Because the number of professional bloggers is still relatively small this is your chance to change your life once you know how to make money from blogs. Before we go any further, I want to set something straight? You don’t have to be a university educated copywriter or technical minded genius to make money from blogging. Any average person can start his own online site (blog) and share their thoughts and opinions with their blogs. You don’t even need a product to sell , you may just love writing or have some helpful information you can post on your blog. The problem with most blogs i looked at didn’t know how to monetize the traffic that comes to their blog . Lets see if we can come up with a strategy for how to make money with blogs. You need to decide on your blogs niche , If you can fill a unique need in a way that no other website does, you’ll be able to build a lasting readership among net users. Other than your main blog posts and comments you might have a good deal of space on your site. If so excellent and why is this i hear you ask. Advertising is the number one method revealed by the top ranking bloggers when asked how to make money with blogs. Join Google Adsense, Amazon, ebay partners affiliate programs. Place there ads on your blogs. This will start to get the money rolling in as you grow your blog following. To get the traffic coming take note of the latest world events such as the swine flu or mumbai terror attacks. People are now heading to blogs for more reliable news sources instead of television. Install RSS Feeds onto your blog so they update frequently with the latest new. Google and Yahoo search spiders love fresh website content and this helps to get your site to the top of search pages. Do some keyword research that is linked to your blogs niche. head to www. adwords. google. com/select/KeywordToolExternal . Type in a related search term and then when the results show up select the exact term option. This will show you exactly what people are searching for in your niche. Type each search term into google using “” at beginning and end of words. ,Take note of any search terms where there is less than 50000 competing websites, this is the keywords you will use. Write articles that based around your keywords and post on all major article directories plus hub pages and. At end of articles include a link to you. Finally when your traffic has grown sign up at clickbank or any other affiliate sites then offer relevant products to your readers. You can also offer any useful skills you may have such as web design, writing skills, direct sales experience for a fee to your followers. How about some sponsorship ,donations or merchandising?Are you beginning to notice how easy it is. After reading this article i hope you have a better understanding of how to make money with blogs. Next you need to go ahead and do the hardest part. . . . . . . Just go do it. Certainly, it is possible to earn money from blogs. One just needs to take risks, the passion, and the right attitude in order to be a successful problogger.

Tourism and Playa del Carmen Real Estate to get boost – President launches “Vive Mexico”

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:34:20 +0000

A key factor in Mexico Real Estate, especially a market like that of Playa del Carmen, is the strength of tourism in the area. For this very reason, contrary to what one might think, now is the IDEAL time to buy here; because of the international recession and the swine-flu travel advisory, the current market is at a low point, which means reduced prices, sometimes very reduced. However, in addition to the confidence which the history of the Playa del Carmen real estate market offers us, (see âSecond chance in the Playa del Carmen Real Estate marketâ in our real estate blog), the government of Mexico has just launched the âVive Mexicoâ program, which will add to our confidence that the market will soon be on an upward trend, and that this is an ideal time to invest. Those considering buying a home, or looking for an investment in Playa del Carmen may hesitate to buy at a time when appreciation has leveled off. But considering the importance of tourism in this market, any indication that tourism will soon be on the rise again is a good sign. The âVive Mexicoâ program considerably strengthens these prospects. President Calderon is challenging Mexicoâs tourist industry, âLetâs show the world what we really are,â and do better than ever. This is just what the âVive Mexicoâ program is going to do, redoubling effort in innovative ways to promote Mexicoâs tourist destinations, and offering special prices to an extent which has never been seen before. So, what does this program include? An unprecedented financial investment of 90 million dollars (1. 2 billion pesos). This money will be used to promote Mexico âin every way possible as a tourist destination full of life, attractions and benefits with no equal. â The investment will be dedicated to promoting tourism in North America and throughout the rest of the world, both encouraging Mexicans to get to know their own heritage, and continuing to show the rest of the world the benefits of coming to Mexico. The message which âVive Mexicoâ has for the world will be delivered through various media, and using celebrities such as actors and soccer players, and public figures from all walks of fame. The campaign has been called âmuch more than just a promotional campaign â itâs a national movement which requires the participation of all Mexicans. â In addition to the campaign itself, numerous other initiatives are being undertaken. One is an updated version of Playa del Carmenâs Digital Tourist Service Catalogue (Catalogo Turistico Digital), which includes catalogue of all services of interest to tourists in Playa and has been distributed on CD and very successfully received on an international level. The new version will included data from a recent census to offer more complete information. Also the government of this state is organizing an event (âVive la Vida en el Caribe Mexicano, Travel Shop el Mall de los Viajesâ) to complement the national program with promotion specific to Quintana Roo. So, thereâs going to be a lot of publicity â what else is going to be offered? In Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, there are going to be reduced prices, all-inclusive packages which now include even more, such as extra nights in hotels, free entrance into eco parks, and numerous other incentives for tourists. Some packages are being offered as low as 50%. The campaign will focus on bolstering tourism this coming summer season, that is, within the next couple of months. For the Playa del Carmen real estate this means one thing; tourism, a key element in the market here, will rebounds and probably quite quickly. As tourism grows, the market trend will turn back up. This factor, in addition to numerous others which will give buyers confidence in the Playa del Carmen Real Estate market, make this an ideal time to invest in Playa del Carmen.

The dangers that travel insurance covers against

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:43:31 +0000

The FCO is the first place to check out any dangers that might be encountered when going on holiday. A recent prominent example is the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico. The FCO warned against any absolutely necessary travel to Mexico because of the risk of infection. Many tour operators provided alternative holidays for their customers and those with travel insurance could claim back the cost of any cancelled arrangements. Since then the ban has been lifted and those who no longer wish to travel to Mexico unfortunately won’t be able to recoup the cost of their holiday through their insurer, unless of course there is another valid reason not to travel. The reverse is also true. Anyone who travels against the advice of the FCO will automatically invalidate their policy. Frequent updates to the status of places occur, so it is important to take a look often. The FCO warnings are region-specific, so might include only part of a country. An example would be the recent bomb in Lahore, Pakistan, which put parts of the country off limits whilst other parts were open to travel to. In the event of your tour operator cancelling your trip they should offer a refund or replacement. What they will not do is offer compensation for inconvenience or disruption caused, but you can claim for this through your travel insurance policy. If all goes well and you arrive where you should have and on time, you should also reduce the risk of becoming ill whilst abroad. Most of it is common sense. If the guidebook warns against drinking tap water, then obviously don’t do it. Washing your hands is often even more important abroad, particularly in hot countries, than at home, and is the simplest way to avoid the transmission of germs and bacteria. When dining out or cooking yourself make sure meat is properly cooked, so that any germs have been killed in the cooking process. White meats should be pale and of an even colour, with no traces of pinkish opaque flesh showing through. The juices that flow from white meat when cooked should be clear, not pink or bloody. Red meats obviously aren’t necessarily well done and can be bloody. Other annoyances occur for a vast number of reasons, such as the incident at Bangkok airport in November, when protesters held a sit-in and stopped the airport from functioning. There was no danger of violence but it did casue a lot of flights to be cancelled. Travel insurance really helps under these circumstances because it means another flight will be provided for you, so you won’t end up stranded. There is no need to be scared of travelling overseas. It is true that dangers and annoyances exist, but so long as you have a decent travel insurance policy then you will be alright in the end.

Learning from TV

admin — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 09:50:19 +0000

Even those who think that TV is entirely too popular recognise that there are situations in which the TV is extremely useful. The television is important in keeping members of the public, who may not have much chance to get out and about to learn of local and world news. The recent fears of swine flu were well documented on most news channels, and updates are still being shown. In addition to this, the UK government released an advert advising the public to be sure that they follow basic hygiene procedures, such as washing hands and sneezing into tissues which are then disposed of. The television can also be a great educational aid for children – although watching too much TV and doing too little exercise is a bad thing, watching the right programmes can help with learning. It is recommended that for optimum appreciation of educational shows, parents watch with youngsters to explain anything they are curious about. Some think that asking questions about morals and information covered in the show can help with comprehension. Adults can learn a lot from TV too – documentaries and adult learning shows can provide a wealth of information about all sorts of subjects. People often think of documentaries as being primarily about nature and far flung continents, but they can be about all kinds of things – from human cultures at home and abroad to the planets and the wider universe. Not to mention history and health. Pretty much whatever interest you have, there will be a documentary or another programme which you can watch about it. Modern televisions usually produce great picture quality, and large models are often placed on flat screen TV wall brackets to enhance the cinematic effect. There are other ways in which TV can be of benefit when used responsibly, and one of these is to help with relaxation. Many people work all day and then come home to find a lot of housework, maybe children and pets to feed and look after and numerous other tasks. It is nice once everything is sorted for the night, to lose yourself in the television show of your choice, and forget about worries and responsibilities for a while. Comedies are often extremely popular, and for an obvious reason – people like to laugh! Watching a funny or cheerful programme can really brighten up a day. Recognising that television should be watched in moderation and in balance with other aspects of life is important, but so is recognising that TV can be beneficial is also useful. No one wants to purchase a great TV and flat screen TV wall brackets just as ornament. The temptation is to watch as much as possible, in order to justify to yourself (or to a significant other who may or may not have approved of your purchase!) that it was worth the expenditure. But remember that if a telly is correctly fixed using the right flat screen TV wall brackets, and used carefully then it should last well and provide a lot of entertainment!

Update Swine Flu In The Us?

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:41:28 +0000

Hi there! I live in Italy and soon i will be travelling to California. I was wandering what is the actual situation in the country. I would like to have not just some media report but comments of people who live there. Do you see many people wearing masks? Are you personally very concerned/scared?This is my vacation and i have planned it long ago so i don’t intend cancelling. . . but you know i cannot help being a bit preoccupied. Thanks to those who will reply.

Air India – Game over?

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:48:57 +0000

A national airline, it paved the path of many private carriers like Jet and Kingfisher to serve the Indian market. Air India is a pioneer in the Indian aviation industry. It was one of the best airlines in Asia and the world. That was then. The recession of 2007-2009 took a toll on Air India, as with the case of many airlines globally. Alitalia, the Italian carrier went bankrupt and till date, about 30 airlines all across have shut down their shops or are looking for buyers. Air India is no exception. Being a premier public sector company, it has employed a large number of men and women for various operations. Their future looks in grave doubt now. A week ago, the union civil aviation minister Praful Patel gave Air India a 30 day ultimatum to cut the fat and restructure it completely. He also mentioned disinvesting a sizeable amount, and get private players to come in. Air India in reality, is an overstaffed organization. Of late, the professional standards, upon which the very ethos of this organization rested, have taken a nosedive. Due to the high oil price of H1 2008, the global recession and the swine flu, Air Indiaâs backbone is almost broken now and it is on the brink of being wiped out. More than 30,000 employeesâ June salary has been delayed to 15th of this month and the top management had to forego their entire June salary. Air India got its first major shake up today as two of its senior directors getting reassigned and the government questioning the recruitment of 300 retired AI officials in the past 3 years. No one knows what happening next. The future of every AI employee hangs in the balance, as they eagerly wait for the next update. The restructuring plan is falling in place and many senior heads are going to roll. Many lower level employees going to lose their jobs. British Airways, last month had asked about 1000 employees to work without any pay. Not sure if the same model is going to work with Air India though. There is a cloud of uncertainty in every quarter of this great airline. The steps taken by the government and the airline are in the right tune. Though restructuring may not be the only step, it must ensure to give their laid off employees a decent severance pay, and ease out non performing assets. Voluntary retirements can be an option as well. Tough times call for tougher measures. This is the only way by which we can revive the great brand, Air India.

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admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:39:34 +0000

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Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Area Sees Recovery in Tourism: Cruises return to Puerto Vallarta

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:48:04 +0000

The results of the summer tourist season have shown that the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate area’s tourism industry is going strong, even exceeding numbers from last year. Since tourism is area’s main industry, it is good news for any owner or potential buyer of Puerto Vallarta real estate that tourism here is also stronger than the national average of Mexico. Also good news is that the recovery in tourism opened the doors for the return of cruise ships, some of which had been cancelled this year because of the economic crisis and later by the arrival of influenza. The Spanish cruise company Pullmantur announced two new cruise routes starting in 2010. One will travel Mexico’s Caribbean coast and other the Mexican Pacific. With 26 trips, they hope to reach a total of 40 thousand passengers. The director of Pullmantur, Eduardo Barroso Alarcon recalled that the planned arrival of the company to Mexico was delayed by the outbreak of the swine flu; with signs of recovery in tourist activity, tour providers have requested their return. One of the routes, the Mexican Pacific, will set out from Puerto Vallarta, which will benefit the region as it is expected to bring between 35 and 40 million dollars. The Caribbean coast route will start at two points: Puerto Progreso and Cozumel. The routes will stop at five ports, bringing the 40 thousand passengers to each destination, bringing a boost to the tourism economy of each area. In addition, each route will generate 100 direct jobs. While balancing the effects of the recession, Barroso reassured that prices are accessible to a variety of budgets, ranging from 10 thousand to 22 thousand pesos. TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK, “Your expert property finders,“ will continue you updates on the status of the economy and tourism in Mexico, and its affect on the Puerto Vallarta Real Estate market.

Will Air India be Able to Come Out of this Situation

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:41:56 +0000

A national airline, it paved the path of many private carriers like Jet and Kingfisher to serve the Indian market. AI is a pioneer in the Indian aviation industry. It was one of the best airlines in Asia and the world. That was then. The recession of 2007-2009 took a toll on Air India, as with the case of many airlines globally. Alitalia, the Italian carrier went bankrupt and till date, about 30 airlines all across have shut down their shops or are looking for buyers. Air India is no exception. Being a premier public sector company, it has employed a large number of men and women for various operations. Their future looks in grave doubt now. A week ago, the union civil aviation minister Praful Patel gave Air India a 30 day ultimatum to cut the fat and restructure it completely. He also mentioned disinvesting a sizeable amount, and get private players to come in. AI in reality, is an overstaffed organization. Of late, the professional standards, upon which the very ethos of this organization rested, have taken a nosedive. Due to the high oil price of H1 2008, the global recession and the swine flu, Air India’s backbone is almost broken now and it is on the brink of being wiped out. More than 30,000 employees’ June salary has been delayed to 15th of this month and the top management had to forego their entire June salary. Air India got its first major shake up today as two of its senior directors getting reassigned and the government questioning the recruitment of 300 retired AI officials in the past 3 years. No one knows what happening next. The future of every AI employee hangs in the balance, as they eagerly wait for the next update. The restructuring plan is falling in place and many senior heads are going to roll. Many lower level employees going to lose their jobs. British Airways, last month had asked about 1000 employees to work without any pay. Not sure if the same model is going to work with Air India though. There is a cloud of uncertainty in every quarter of this great airline. The steps taken by the government and the airline are in the right tune. Though restructuring may not be the only step, it must ensure to give their laid off employees a decent severance pay, and ease out non performing assets. Voluntary retirements can be an option as well. Tough times call for tougher measures. This is the only way by which we can revive the great brand, Air India.