While many tourists may be put off by the idea of taking their summer holiday for fear of catching a disease such as swine flu, this week John McEwan, chairman of travel association Abta announced that Britons are advised to travel as usual.

In a press statement Mr McEwan said: “It [swine flu] is a cause for concern. But the majority [of people infected] have been ill for four or five days and have made a full recovery. People should not overreact and should not be overly concerned.”

This advice comes after reports in British newspapers that immigration officers and airlines had begun screening passengers for signs of the virus. It seems that there has been a certain amount of conflicting advice, especially regarding pregnant passengers.

However, Laurence Gerlis, who provides health advice on HolidayExtras.com, says that UK citizens are actually safer abroad: “Britain has a high incidence of swine flu, so you are at lower risk abroad than at home. Travellers should try not to go on holiday if suffering or recovering from recent swine flu as it is likely that your airline will refuse to take you if you are obviously unwell. You will need five to seven days after an attack to be fit to travel.”

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.