Source: Xinhua

04-28-2009 16:19

Special Report:   Global Financial Crisis
Special Report:   World tackles A/H1N1 flu

by Li Rong

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Fears are on the rise that the swine flu outbreak could jeopardize the already fragile global economy and reverse its initial recovery.

Mexico, which is at the epicenter of the deadly disease, has so far reported a total of 1,995 suspected cases and at least 149 suspected swine flu deaths. Its northern neighbor, the United States, reported 42 confirmed cases, including 28 at one New York City school.

Confirmed or suspected cases are also found in Canada, Scotland, New Zealand, Spain, France and Israel.

Tourism in North America is the first to feel the chill as people chose to stay at home and governments advise their citizens to avoid non-vital travels to the region.

Many airlines issued polices waiving usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from, or through Mexico, and travel agencies across Asia and Europe have cancelled tours to the country.

TUI Travel, Europe's biggest tour operator, said it was suspending all trips to Mexico City through May 4, and Japan's largest tour agency JTB Corp. has suspended Mexico tours until June 30.

The U.S. government advised its people against most travels to Mexico and stepped up border checks. EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou also instructed Europeans to avoid nonessential travels to both Mexico and parts of the United States.