The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) went on the offensive yesterday, informing potential visitors to the region that there were no cases of the swine flu epidemic in the Caribbean.

Chairman of the CTO Council of Ministers, John Maginley, said, however, that the organisation had been in contact with a number of regional health authorities as it reviews the global situation.

"Although there are currently no identifiable cases of swine flu among the 33 CTO member countries, the region is taking a proactive effort related to this virus," Maginley said.

Determining a strategy

He said regional health officials have been meeting to determine a strategy to deal with the swine flu virus after outbreaks were reported in Mexico, the United States, Canada and Europe with more than 150 deaths reported in Mexico.

"The CTO has been in contact with the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation, as well as with member countries as we gather information and review the global situation," Maginley said.