Fear of bird flu may hurt global tourism, UN warns

[paul]

The spread of bird flu, which has reached Greece and Romania, may have a "substantial" effect on international tourism if governments overstate the risks involved, the World Tourism Organization said.

"Unnecessary scare-mongering can cause a sharp drop in tourism that squeezes economies, especially those of developing nations," said Francesco Frangialli, head of the Madrid-based United Nations agency.

International tourism was worth $622 billion last year, according to the World Tourism Organization. The outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 led to a 14 percent drop in visits to Southeast Asia, the group said.

"We do know from our previous experience with SARS that its effect on tourism could be substantial," Frangialli said, adding that media coverage of SARS consisted of "too much news, often unsubstantiated and speculative."

Bird flu, which so far has rarely been transmitted from birds to humans, has killed 60 people in recent months, particularly in Vietnam.

However, the risk of a pandemic is the highest in more than 35 years, according to the World Health Organization.

The World Tourism Organization is meeting with representatives of the World Health Organization to discuss the possible effects on tourism.

Paul
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[Sidesplitter]

There is a lot of scare mongering and all the news agencies have been giving is the bare facts and not educating people properly. My bloody mother (who is vegetatrian) is refusing to buy chicken until the scare has subsided. Its getting out of hand, they need to educate people and so that if it hits we dont panic and know what to do
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[paul]

[FluFightersOnline.com]

Ref bird flu.

We are trying to offer a genuine service and not scaremonger.
It might be worth checking out our website

We supply cost-effective flu protection kits for individuals and travellers. These small, lightweight kits also include an advice leaflet based on World Health Organisation guidelines. These can be stored or carried for use in the event of a flu pandemic, or any emergency requiring respiratory protection.

Our website is also packed with lots of information and acts as a useful portal with direct links to all the main Government and official websites regarding bird flu and human pandemic flu risk.

Why not check out what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has to say about this.

We think its best to be informed and prepared without the whole bird flu issue spoil your travel plans.
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[massageLondonUK]

your kits don't protect against the bird flu - as the virus can be spread by foods as well
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[FluFightersOnline.com]

Thanks for the reply. Food poisoning is spread by food as well.... if it is not cooked properly. Food should not be a problem provided it has been thoroughly cooked and is handled correctly in its raw state. Basically, the same rules that apply in any well run kitchen.

If you check out our website, this is covered in relation to the consumption of poultry. It is also highlighted in the advice leaflet supplied with each kit.

Thanks again.

FluFightersOnline Team
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www.FluFightersOnline.com

[PeterW]

Like most adverse events it seems that there are 2 ways to respond to this
Isolate self and sit in a corner rocking back and forth saying 'I'm gonna die' (which you will whatever, but you can have much more fun in other ways...)
Or : Get on with life.

If (or when depending on level of optimism) Bird 'Flu becomes transmissible from man to man then it will spread very fast. Chances of avoidence in industrialised / urban settings is, I would suggest, small. Anywhere with a mass transit system will probably be unable to contain it. It will make SARS look like a walk in the park.

At present chances of catching from another person are less than being killed by a coconut falling on your head - even if you don't live under a palm tree.

And where the people are scared away from over this at this time, well that is the place to go, travel will be cheap, you will be more welcome and so until the WHO or local authority starts officially cautioning against an area go and have some fun.

But in the end, people will panic and travel will be affected.
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[lee_anne57]

hi ever one

im kinda new to all this but you guys seem to know alot about bird flu and i need some help for a project i am doing on it at the mo.

i am doing about how it will affect the travel and tourism industry and i was wondering if you could help me ASAP please

lee anne x.x.x