Travel tips > Alert concerning swine flu in Mexico 

Pigs can sometimes be a "crucible" that give rise to a virulent new flu strain that can be transmitted to humans.

World health authorities are on the alert after several hundred cases of swine flu were reported in Mexico, over 100 of which have been fatal. Other cases have been identified in the US and Europe, connected to travel to Mexico.

Should I cancel my flight?
Upon arriving in Mexico, every traveler will be given a mask by officials. But is that a holiday? Not very good for tanning!

The European Health commissioner has called on people to put off non-essential travel to Mexico or the US, except in urgent cases.

The Foregin Office has said that consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy have been suspended until further notice. The British travel company Thomas Cook announced in a press release that it was cancelling all trips to the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, while the British tour operator Thomson also canceled its flights to Cancun for the time being.

Check with your airline. Some travel companies such as TUI in Germany have cancelled flights to Mexico while others will waive penalties for travelers who decide to delay or change their planned trip to Mexico. This holds true of Air Canada, US Airways and Continental Airlines, among others.