Holidaymakers were advised today to check their holiday insurance and keep in touch with tour operators as swine flu sweeps across the UK.
People who contract the virus should take the advice of their doctors about whether to stay at home, according to travel association Abta.
Almost 10,000 Britons have gone down with swine flu after it spread to the UK from Mexico.
Few weeks ago, a hospital patient became the first British person without underlying health problems to die after contracting the illness.
The patient died at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NHS East of England said – taking the total number of UK swine flu-related deaths to 15.
In the other 14 cases, the people had underlying health issues such as heart problems and long term illnesses.
Abta spokeswoman Frances Tuke said tour operators had not reported an increase in cancellations but said the trade organisation would “monitor” the situation.
She also said there were concerns about whether insurers would cover the cost of disruption to holidays caused by swine flu.
“We have had calls about this with regard to insurance – apparently some insurers are placing exemptions on policies,” she said.
“If you need to cancel because of swine flu you need to check your travel insurance policy to ensure it is covered.”
According to Ms Tuke, customers wanting to rearrange trips might face more difficulties during the peak summer holiday period.
She said: “Within the travel industry over the past few weeks it hasn’t been an issue for us but we will be monitoring it.
“It could potentially become a problem. Where tour operators can be flexible they probably will be, for example if they can defer to a later date, but that will incur costs.
“It will become more difficult in peak summer holiday time because it will be very busy in some resorts.
“The advice would be to keep in touch with your tour operator.
“The good thing about swine flu is that generally speaking, for most people, it’s fairly mild so chances are you would be able to travel. We would advise people to find out from their doctors whether it is sensible to go.”
There are at least 9,718 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK – third highest in the world after Mexico, where the bug was first identified, and the US.
Mexico has 10,262 cases of the disease, with 33,902 in the US.
It is not known how many people in the UK are truly suffering from swine flu as many are treating themselves at home rather than contacting their GP.
The NHS advises anyone who thinks they might have flu to check their symptoms on www.nhs.uk
