Holiday firms monitor situation closely

AS Irish health authorities were yesterday tracking the swine flu outbreak worldwide, Irish tour operators were taking stock of the effect it might have on business.

The main focus remains Mexico, the origin of the outbreak and the only country where people have died of swine fever.

“We are dealing with customers who may be concerned about the outbreak, but it is largely a question of wait and see,” said Brian Sargent, general manager of Tropica Sky in Listowel, Co Kerry, which operates Mexico holidays, mostly during the summer season.