Warning Eased Against U.S. Travel to Mexico for Flu

A recommendation for U.S. travelers to avoid nonessential trips to Mexico was removed by U.S. health authorities who cited a waning of the swine flu outbreak.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention downgraded its “warning” to a “travel health precaution” for Mexico, according to the center’s Web site. There is evidence that Mexico’s outbreak of swine flu, known as H1N1, is slowing in many cities, the Atlanta-based CDC said.

The decision may help the tourism industry recover from the impact of the flu that has killed 66 people in Mexico. The U.S. State Department also lifted its advisory warning travelers of health risks in Mexico, citing the CDC decision.

Mexico Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo called the CDC’s action “very important” for travel destinations such as Cancun, the ministry said today in a statement. The nation’s tourism revenue may fall by $4.5 billion this year from $13.3 billion in 2008 as visitors cancel trips because of the flu, Elizondo said yesterday.