Connery also estimates Canadians would lose up to 30 percent of the food supply coming to this country if transport from Mexico is halted.

Meanwhile, the struggling airline and travel industries will also take a big hit if the virus continues to spread.

Some countries have issued warnings against traveling to Canada while Canada has issued official warnings against unnecessary trips to Mexico.

About 1 million Canadians head to Mexico every year, making it one of the most popular destinations for the country. However, the growing public concern over the illness could freeze international travel and spell doom for an industry already reeling from low consumer confidence.

Several travel and air companies have canceled flights and vacation packages to Mexico, among which, Transat AT postponed all planned flights to Mexico through June 1; Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations suspended all operations to Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, until June 1. The airline will maintain its flights to Mexico City.

In a bid to keep business going, Air Canada and Westjet are offering to re-route passengers headed to Mexico to other destinations.

Still, at least one industry should benefit from the growing health worries: the pharmaceutical sector.

David Howell, who operates pandemic preparedness company AMI Business Resilience, said that some companies are already stocking up on anti-viral drugs, just in case.

"A lot of corporations, for their critical employees, are buying anti-virals to make sure they can maintain a business as usual arena and get through it," said Howell.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2009)