Swine Flu May Hit Tourism

First the economic crises and now swine flu has hit the Americas with 68 related deaths in Mexico reported, according to the World Health Organization. The United States is currently on high alert while here in Asia; regional airports are closely monitoring travelers who have been to Mexico.
Asia was hit hard by the bird flu pandemic and the resulting SARS crises in 2003 in which 299 people in Hong Kong reportedly lost their lives. The region along with Phuket tourism was hit hard and travel came to an abrupt halt at the time.
The international press is currently closely watching the developments on this story, and certainly it could not come at a worse time when most countries are working hard to restore order to the battered financial sectors.