The World Tourism Organization is monitoring events concerning the recent cases of ‘swine influenza’.The World Health Organization (WHO), leading and coordinating the efforts of the UN system, declared on 25 April that the current situation constitutes a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ under the terms of the International Health Regulations (2005).

Swine Influenza
Madrid, Spain 27 April 2009

The World Tourism Organization is monitoring events concerning the recent cases of ‘swine influenza’.


The World Health Organization (WHO), leading and coordinating the efforts of the UN system, declared on 25 April that the current situation constitutes a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ under the terms of the International Health Regulations (2005).

 UNWTO is fully integrated into the process led by WHO. Extensive preparatory work over the last years took place under the leadership of the United Nations System Influenza Coordination (UNSIC) and WHO across UN agencies and prepared for this situation. Tourism has been fully integrated into these activities at a global, regional and national level.

UNWTO is working in the framework of the UN system to:

   1. Establish a cross industry information and messaging system.
   2. Encourage tourism integration into national and regional emergency preparedness plans.
   3. Raise preparedness through regional and national simulation exercises.
   4. Establish www.sos.travel as an emergency response portal to serve as a link for the entire tourism sector, destinations and ultimately consumers or their families in extreme emergencies.

WHO is not recommending any travel and trade restriction. UNWTO is monitoring the situation closely as part of the overall UN approach. No specific additional measures are currently advised.

Read more information on the Swine influenza from WHO.