Swine Flu: Over 60% of Travel to Kerman Province Canceled

The Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department of Kerman Province has reported that over 60% of domestic and international trips to Kerman have been canceled due to the swine flu outbreak and surrounding rumors. Mohammad Jahanshahi, the Deputy of Tourism at the Kerman Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department, stated on December 20 to the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, IRNA, that the private sector has taken measures to refund the travel costs of tourists whose trips were canceled. Jahanshahi mentioned that these statements were made on behalf of the Kerman Hoteliers Association. However, he also noted that 'the current situation in tourist destinations across the province is normal.' Shortly after these remarks, Abolqasem Seyfollahi, the Deputy Head of the Crisis Management Headquarters in the province, stated that from Thursday to Friday evening, the number of deaths from the H1N1 virus (known as swine flu) 'has not increased.' This government official also told IRNA that the situation in Kerman 'has returned to normal.' These statements come after the Minister of Health urged Iranian media not to alarm the public about the outbreak of the deadly disease. Two days prior, on December 17, Dr. Nozar Nakhaei, Deputy of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, stated that the duration of the flu epidemic in the province 'is unpredictable' and that the severity of the current illness is 'definitely more' than the first epidemic in 2009. Over 40 people have died due to the recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus in Iran. Reports indicate that the disease has spread to other provinces in Iran besides Kerman.