I'm also concerned about other hotels besides Rius. Anyone who's been at Jack Tar in the last couple of weeks please post and see my message from earlier today. Thanks.

If you find anything out, I would certainly appreciate your letting me know - we are scheduled to arrive Feb 7/04 at Sousa Bay club, and are concerned what the conditions are there also - it is very concerning to pay good money to go there and be sick most of the time - not my idea of a vacation

Looking forward to your reply

This article was in our newspaper in minnesota today.

SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS 1/25/05:

Travel firms react

to resort outbreaks

Reports of illnesses at resorts in the Dominican Republic have prompted two Twin Cities travel companies to redirect customers to other destinations.

TransGlobal Vacations and Worry-Free Vacations said they temporarily stopped sending customers to hotels near Puerto Plata operated by Spanish resort giant Riu.

Vacationers from the United States, Canada and Europe reported becoming ill after visiting a complex of Riu hotels, the Mambo, Merengue and Bachata.

TransGlobal Vacations has been contacted by about a dozen customers who became ill with flu-like symptoms after vacationing at the Riu resorts, said spokeswoman Tammy Lee. Worry-Free Vacations also has stopped offering packages to the Riu Bachata after hearing from fewer than a dozen customers who became ill, said spokeswoman Christy Sazama.

Customers who already bought plane tickets have the option of changing hotels, rebooking for another date or changing their destination, she said.

Just spoke to our travel agent a few minutes ago. It is now 5:30 CST. She told us that only Riu hotel bookings could get refunds or changes. Since our res is at Jack Tar, we're pretty much stuck according to Worry-Free. Please, if anyone has been at Jack Tar or hotel other than Riu post what you know. Thanks.

We just returned from Sun Village Beach Resort and ALOT of guests were ill with this. Five people were on IV's from our group last week. We spoke to MANY more who were as well. Doesn't seem to be confined! On the flight back to Winnipeg there were alot of others who had also been ill from different resorts as well.

Good luck and hope you have better luck.

Curious to see if this is spreading to other resorts as well. flying out 26th feb for breezes POP>........also curious if it is the "flu" how many got flu shots prior to departure? THX

Members of our group had their FLU shot and still got ill. It's not the FLU!

Remember Flu shots are for certain strains of the flu.

A year ago they were giving flu shots here in MN and it was the wrong one.

sameegirl. This is NOT the flu. People are complaining of stomach and bowel problems which indicates a viral or bacterial infection or some pathogen that is ingested from a contaminated source, either food, water or some object that has been handled.The flu shots are only good for airborne viruses and not ingested viruses. No matter how clean your hands are if you are using a utensil, or plate or cup that has been washed or rinsed with contaminated water then you will be affected. People who were ill still don't know what has caused the problem and by the companies just hoping it will eventually go away, that doesn't seem to be happening either.

I know it isn't the flu...I was just stating that even if it was, the shot may not work anyways.....

I was there and am one of those that got sick.