The initial reaction to the swine flu outbreak in Mexico is that it may be a headline risk, according to Tim Conder, managing director of leisure equity research at Wachovia Capital Markets. He said that the media generated a significant amount of negative headlines for a couple of months in 2002 surrounding a Norovirus outbreak, which, he said, turned out to be a stomach flu. More than half of the Caribbean itineraries include calls in Mexico, according to Cruise Industry News, in addition to the Mexican Riviera cruises, accounting for up to 25 percent of all cruises worldwide. While more than 100 people have reportedly died from the swine flu in Mexico, schools have been closed in New York, California and Texas following outbreaks among students who are now recovering. A dropping stock market has also been attributed to swine flu concerns.