# 3059
One of the earliest economic impacts during a public health scare is on travel and tourism, and with today’s warning issued by the European Union’s Health Minister, we could start seeing its effects.
EU health minister: Don't travel to Mexico or US
By CONSTANT BRAND
The Associated Press
Monday, April 27, 2009; 6:55 AMLUXEMBOURG -- The European Union's health commissioner urged Europeans on Monday to postpone nonessential travel to the United States or Mexico due to swine flu.
EU Health Commissioner Andorra Vassiliou met with the EU foreign ministers on the subject as Spain reported the first confirmed case of swine flu in Europe. That was also the first swine flu case outside North America.
On arriving in Luxembourg, Vassiliou advised Europeans to reassess their travel plans.
She told reporters "they should avoid traveling to Mexico or the United States of America unless it is very urgent for them."
EU foreign ministers discussed the outbreak of swine flu on Monday and the EU health ministers were holding an emergency meeting on the subject Thursday.
Overnight, Spain confirmed their first case of Swine Flu, and there are other suspect cases in Europe as well.
Spain confirms 1st swine flu case in Europe
MADRID (AP) — Spain's Health Ministry confirmed the country's first case of swine flu on Monday and said another 20 people are suspected of having the disease. It was the first confirmed swine flu case in Europe and the first outside of North America.
Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said the patient is a young man who had recently returned from Mexico where he had been as part of his university studies.
Jimenez told a press conference the man is responding well to treatment and that neither he nor any of the people under observation are in serious condition.
While I understand the EU Health Minister’s desire to close the barn door, I suspect in a couple of days her point will be moot.
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