NEW YORK, New York (26 Apr 2009) — New York City health officials confirmed that at least 15 students at a school where many students are suffering from swine flu symptoms visited Cancun during spring break two weeks ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told CDNN that eight students have been confirmed to be suffering from the same strain of swine flu that has killed at least 90 people in Mexico and infected nearly 2,000 more. Some 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, are suffering flu symptoms and may also be infected. Pat Hornek, 18, a senior, said that during spring break "some kids went to Cancun" and one of his friends came back sick. According to another student, at least 15 students visited Cancún. a popular resort destination in Mexico. New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said the sick students are suffering high fevers, headaches, dizziness, upset stomachs and coughs. Tour operators that sell trips to Cancun, Cozumel and other popular holiday destinations in Mexico said they have been flooded with cancellations. Two of Japan's leading travel agencies, including JTB, canceled all package tours to Mexico just days ahead of the "Golden Week" holiday season, when millions of Japanese tourists visit foreign holiday destinations. Travel experts said the loss of Golden Week tourists will be a heavy blow to Mexico's struggling tourism industry. The swine flu outbreak could have the same devastating financial impact on tourism in Mexico and the Caribbean as the 2002-03 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak, which killed 774 people and severely damaged the Asian economy. | The swine flu outbreak has killed at least 90 people in Mexico and infected nearly 2,000 more. According to recent reports, many Caribbean nations, including the Caymans and the Bahamas, are already suffering double digit declines in tourist arrivals stemming from the global financial crisis. The cruise ship industry has been the hardest hit with sharp declines of 28.7% in Jamaica, 25.8% in Puerto Rico and 19.6% in the Cayman Islands. Tourism officials in Mexico told CDNN they fear the swine flu outbreak could cause fearful tourists to avoid Cancun, which is one of the world's busiest cruise ship ports. | 
