Should I cancel my US trip because of swine flu?

[Mumup]

I'm due to go on holiday to California with the kids and DH in August. I didn't worry about piggy flu when we booked the flights, but now, a month later, the tally of confirmed cases seems to be climbing quite quickly in California (this according to CDC website).

If we were going tomorrow, I wouldn't have a problem. My concern is that by August things could be far worse.

One option is just to wait it out and see what happens - after all the numbers could start going down. But I hate to have the family/kids getting all excited about California, only to have to cancel last minute.

So... Mumsnet travellers... would you stick it out and head to lovely California (I really, really want to go!), or cancel and rebook elsewhere?

I was under the impression that its all going to calm down over the summer, and then re-emerge with avengence in the autumn. So you should be OK!

I think there is a similar FAQ in the information given by the Minister of HEalth, she advised people to keep to their plans as by the summer it must be under control. Now, going in winter is a totally different animal.

Don't talk to much about the trip and that should keep family/kids from gettting over excited. Just mention there is a possibility you may not go.

No

If in August it is a big problem in California, it will be a big problem elsewhere, including the UK.

Well, the local news here (in Cali) have shut up about it and they like to get hysterical about everything so it's become a non-issue now.

It started here, but I'm seeing way more about it on the UK news than the US news now. I can't see any reason why California will be a more dangerous place to be than the UK by the summer.

Seriously, I'm an uberhypochondriac and am happy for my kids to go to school, the supermarkets etc. I've seen no evidence of swine flu and isn't it only supposed to be as bad as regular flu now anyway?

Come on over, you'll love it

No.

Nope - doesn't even make the news any more here in Colorado.

Your chance of getting killed in a car accident on the way to the airport are higher than your chance of dying of swine flu. Never mind that it appears to be far less virile than normal seasonal flu which kills 50,000 a year in the usa as is.

YEs, considering that MExico city is a very crowded place with more than 20,000,000 inhabitants and only less than 100 person have died, the mortality rate is extremely low. (at least lower than common flu)

Thanks eveeryone. I'm not concerned about dying of piggy flu, just about spending two weeks of holiday ill! But, as I really really really want to go, and it seems from what CarmenSanDiego is saying its not a big deal there, then I'm going.

Fab. Now, Carmen, wanted a beach near San Diego where we could also visit the city and the zoo - Del Mar? La Jolla?

La Jolla is lovely. If you've a reasonable budget and a car, there are some fabulous hotels and resorts. We stayed at the Estancia when we moved here and it was stunning but it's not right by the beach. There are also some nice hotels right by the beach in La Jolla town though. Mission Bay is a good bet for Seaworld and is a nice manmade beach. I drive past Paradise Point resort often and it looks beautiful but there is a Hilton and other hotels there. It's about 10-15 minutes from Balboa Park and the zoo. Hope this helps!

Try booking an apartment or house on www.craigslist.org instead of booking a hotel. It will work out way cheaper. Make sure you book a car. You can't do anything in Southern California without one.