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Anxiety over a global flu outbreak is making travelers jittery. In Japan, many tourists have canceled travel plans, and those who have to go abroad are taking precautions.

This marks the Golden Week holidays, traditionally a time when Japanese tourists travel abroad. But with the threat of the swine flu spreading many here are taking preventative measures to combat the virus.

Shigeko Kato is traveling to Singapore with her family. She says she will take every step possible to protect her family.

[Shigeko Kato, Traveling to Singapore]:
“I was told to wear a mask in the airport and avoid staying too long in the terminal. I also try to wipe my hands with hand sanitizer while on board.”

Japan has recently issued advisories against non-essential travel to Mexico. Many here at the airport who couldnt cancel their travel plans are worried.

[Yuri Takahasi, Traveling to Europe]:
“I’m scared, but I cannot stop myself from making this trip.”

[Akina Saito, Traveling to Europe]:
“The flu situation is getting worse so I’m very scared, but I have to go.”

Travel agencies across Japan have canceled all tours and flights to Mexico until mid May. But there are fears that they may have to do the same for other flu-affected countries.

[Takeharu Mizukoshi, General Manager, IACE Travel]:
“We are getting a lot of travel cancelations from our customers who were planning to go to Mexico, but we’re also receiving cancellation calls from those who are going to places like New York and London.

Meanwhile at home Japan has reported its first suspected swine flu case in Yokohama city. A 17-year-old high school student who returned from Canada is being quarantined at a local hospital.

[Yoichi Masuzoe, Japanese Health Minister]:
“We received a report on a single suspected swine flu case from Yokohama city in Kanagawa on April 30th. The case is of a traveler who returned from Canada.”

The student is currently being examined by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases center in Tokyo.

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