INTERNATIONAL. The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday raised the level of influenza pandemic alert for the Mexican swine flu outbreak from phase 3 to phase 4.
Importantly for the travel retail sector though, the WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan recommended not to close borders and not to restrict international travel. However, in breaking news today a number of UK travel groups have cancelled flights to the Mexican holiday resort of Cancun because of swine flu fears. US officials yesterday advised Americans against non-essential travel to Mexico and late last night the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office followed suit.
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Click on the image to read Sky News’ breaking story today on the cessation of flights to Mexico |
Thomas Cook today suspended all outbound flights to the resort until 5 May as did First Choice Holidays .
Thomson Holidays cancelled today’s flights from Manchester and Gatwick airports to Mexico. In a statement, it said “Flights due to operate from 29th April onwards are currently under discussion and decisions will be made later today.”
WHO said it was considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention.
The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.
The news followed a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee, which considered available data on confirmed outbreaks of A/H1N1 swine influenza in the US, Mexico, and Canada. It also considered reports of possible spread to additional countries.
Given the widespread presence of the virus, the Director-General WHO considered that containment of the outbreak is not feasible. “The current focus should be on mitigation measures,” said WHO.
Meanwhile the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is assessing events. It commented: “WHO is not recommending any travel and trade restriction. UNWTO is monitoring the situation closely as part of the overall UN approach. No specific additional measures are currently advised.”
MORE COVERAGE OF THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
Swine flu outbreak raises pandemic fears and tourism concerns – 26/04/09
