» Tourism, agriculture and airline stocks were hit hard by the outbreak of swine flu in the U.S. and Mexico.

» In China's A-share market, shares of Southern Airlines and Air China slumped an average of 6 percent, while Hainan Airlines dropped to the daily trading limit. Eastern Airlines tumbled 3.4 percent.

» Agriculture commodity futures also declined sharply on the news.

» Shares of tourism companies also saw a slump due to concern about the flu.