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April 15, 2006

*Scream*

Guess who was on this flight?

Anyone who traveled on April 2nd and flew American Airlines flights 3617 from Dallas to XNA, or 5399 from XNA to St. Louis should contact the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services. Here`s why: On April 2nd, a man infected with mumps began a trip that took him from Tucson, Arizona, to Dallas, Texas, then here to Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, and then onto St. Louis, Missouri, before reaching his final destination in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Son of a bitch. I was.

The health department says they have contacted most of the passengers from the flights mentioned above, but not all of them.

No, not all of them because this is the first I've heard of it. On Easter weekend when there's no chance in hell of getting in touch anyone from the Health Department.

I think I'm relatively safe. Due to a paperwork foulup, I've had 3 freaking MMR's, the last in 1988 or 89. And my sister had the mumps when I was little & I didn't catch them despite sitting on her bed eating a dill pickle at every opportunity. (Yes, I was a mean little shit)

But still. It's going to be a very long weekend.

Posted by Rita at April 15, 2006 06:43 AM

Comments

In a mildly ironic way, its fascinating that with all the scanning and screening and crap they can't figure out that one person is sick before he gets on a plane.

And what mesk it even better is, if you consider the fact that Terrorists are already willing to blow them selves to kingdom come, there's no reason to think one wouldn't be willing to infect themselves with....say......the EBola virus, then climb on a plane to Chicago Dallas or any other major hub.

Now I have to go finish packing for my own flight on Sunday.

I feel sooooo reassured now.

Posted by: BloodSpite at April 15, 2006 08:30 AM

The weird thing is that I don't remember anyone appearing obviously sick on that flight. And I always kinda check everyone out before we take off. But mumps has a 2-3 week incubation period, so the guy wouldn't have necessarily looked sick.

I know what you mean though. Flying always gives me the jitters these days. And Mike's flying to Costa Rica on Monday, so I was jumpy enough without finding this out.

Depending on who you're flying, you might want to take some disinfectant. This dude flew to St. Louis from XNA, so his cootie germs were on that flight too.

I feel like freaking Typhoid Mary.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 15, 2006 08:40 AM

Another argument to timeshare with Liver-Eatin' Johnson.

Posted by: Craig at April 16, 2006 09:00 AM

Didja see the statistics on the outbreak? Only 25% of victims had been vaccinated. Freaking hippies.

Posted by: Rita [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 16, 2006 09:06 AM