The International Civil Aviation Organization is urging its 190 member countries not to disrupt air travel despite the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

The organization said it would have little effect on stopping the spread of the virus and would be highly disruptive to the global community.

Many of ICAO's members rely on tourism and the organization said Wednesday it wants to avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade.

Speaking at a news conference in Montreal, ICAO chief of aviation medicine Dr. Tony Evans said countries that have already imposed travel constraints are being urged to withdraw them.

ICAO has also put together guidelines to help countries develop effective national contingency plans should the virus become a pandemic.