Cancun (Mexico), May 4 (EFE) Hundreds of tourists have left the Mexican resort city of Cancun after the governmment announced a swine flu alert in the country.

Hotels and resorts in the city have closed their operations following the alert.

Javier Maranon, head of the Oasis group, said the hotel industry has begun implementing measures as per the government directive to contain the deadly flu, also called influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Maranon said there was no case of swine flu in Cancun city.

According to a governemnt estimate, 22 people have died of swine flu in the country. About 480 people have been infected by the disease.

Cancun Hotel Association president Rodrigu de la Pena said the tourist industry is preparing advertising campaigns to boost tourists in the resort city.

“We know that it’s part of a process and that the recovery is going to be slow, but we’re prepared to act as soon as circumstances permit,” he said.

Workers at Club Med, a tourist resort, said the facility will remain closed until May 12.

Gabriel Gurmendez, manager at Cancun’s international airport, said a common health protocol is being implemented at the airport for all passengers. He said some 2,000 tourists have left the city Saturday.