ATLANTA, Georgia (30 Apr 2009) — Georgia's first swine flu patient is a woman who was hospitalized after returning from holiday in Cancun, where hotels are now half empty and the airport is flooded by tourists trying to get out. Health officials in Georgia told CDNN the state's first swine flu case was reported in the city of LaGrange, where the 30-year-old victim was visiting family immediately after returning from Cancun on April 21. The Centers for Disease Control said the woman was hospitalized on April 26 and confirmed to be suffering from swine flu on April 30. Governor issues statement "Today's confirmed case of the H1N1 flu in Georgia is a reason for precaution, not panic," said Gov. Sonny Perdue. "I want to stress that it is an isolated case appearing in a woman visiting our state for an event who had also recently traveled to Mexico." "I encourage Georgians to follow the advice of public health professionals and take the recommended precautions to protect themselves and their families. At this stage, the simplest things — washing hands and using disinfectants — can be the most effective safeguards. I am confident in our planning and preparation and our ability to respond over the coming days." Tourists flee Cancun Despite statements by Cancun tourism officials downplaying the threat of swine flu, hotel managers there said they have been flooded by cancellations. Iberostar Paraiso Hotel Reservations Manager, Martaa Bae, told CDNN that 50% of her reservations have been canceled this week alone. Charlie Ross, of the Cancun Hotel 2000, said that average bookings, which are usually thirty to forty per day, have fallen to zero in the past two days. "Nothing but cancellations," Ross said. Officials at Cancun airport told CDNN the facility is flooded with tourists trying to get out and all outgoing flights are full. Many airlines have canceled flights to Mexico and major travel agents have canceled tours to Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Six major cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines announced cancellation of port stops for ships scheduled to dock in Mexico. | | A 30-year-old American tourist was hospitalized with swine flu five days after returning from Cancun. Many nations have issued travel warnings advising tourists to avoid Mexico including the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the United States, France, Germany, Cuba and Argentina. Mexico braces for nationwide lockdown Following a government order, the nation of 111 million people will effectively shut down on May 5 in an effort to halt the spread of the swine flu virus. "There is no safer place than your own home to avoid being infected with the flu virus," Felipe Calderón, Mexico's president, said in a television address. "I know many of you have had to suspend your activities and may have seen your earnings fall but it is worth it if we can look after the health of our loved ones and protect Mexico from this evil," he said. Transport, policing, hospitals and supermarkets will continue to function but the rest of country will come to a halt. Earlier this week, schools, restaurants, cinemas, sporting events and other services were closed or access to them was heavily restricted.
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