EU ministers warn against panic
Mexico today (May 1) began a five day shut to try and stop the spread of swine flu.
Restaurants, bars, cinemas and non-essential government services will close for five days.
In Europe, EU health ministers, after an emergency meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, warned against panic.
Swine flu has now been confirmed in 12 countries, including six in Europe: the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland.
There have been 168 deaths in Mexico and one of a 23-month-old child in Texas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has moved its pandemic alert level up to five, the second highest but said it had no plans to go to level six.
After the EU meeting, Androulla Vassiliou, its health commissioner said Europe was well prepared to deal with any mass outbreak and there was no cause to panic.
The meeting decided to work with pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine, but turned down a French plan to stop travel to Mexico.
Ms Vassiliou was quoted by the BBC as saying: "We are worried but we are on top of things.
"The fact that we have been preparing ourselves in the EU for such an event for some years now and we have the experience gained so far outs us in a much stronger position."
BA, Air France KLM, Iberia and Lufthansa are all operating normal services to the Central American country.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said airlines were "prepared for the heightened level of alert."
WHO has advised against a blanket ban on travel to Mexico or the closing of its borders.
Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's director general and ceo, said: "People getting on planes should be reassured of two things.
"First, even under normal circumstances, airlines have equipment and measures in place to keep the cabin environment safe.
"Secondly, the years of planning for the possibility of avian influenza have prepared the industry to deal efficiently with the unfolding situation by following the recommendations of WHO,
While some companies have stopped business travel to Mexico, most were carrying on but taking note of health advice from their governments.
Tour operators have cancelled dozens of flights and holidays to the region.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is "advising against all but essential travel to Mexico."
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