Although U.S. travelers have been advised to avoid nonessential travel to flu-ravaged Mexico, there are Lawrence-area residents willing to take the risk.

Mexico has confirmed more than 300 swine flu cases and has 15 confirmed deaths, although reports have indicated that roughly 120 people may have died from it.

John Novotny, manager of Travellers Inc. in downtown Lawrence, said there are about 20 people leaving for Mexico in the next few days. He said they had consulted their doctors about precautions and medications, and decided to go ahead and travel.

He added that about 40 people are rethinking their travel plans to Mexico. He said about half of them had insurance and received refunds. The other half have rescheduled their trip or picked another destination.

Anne Walters, general manager at Travel Leaders, 4104 W. Sixth St., said all of her clients are still headed to Mexico.

“We have had no cancellations on regular tickets. We have quite a few going to Mexico in the middle of the month or later in the summer that we have not heard from at all,” Walters said.

Mark Smith, a pharmacist at Orchards Drug store, 1410 Kasold Drive, said if residents do opt to travel to Mexico, they should consult with a doctor and consider wearing a face mask.

“If you’re in a plane, you might want to get one because that’s the worst air in the world,” he said.

But you won’t find any mask in his store because it ran out on Monday. Smith isn’t sure when the next shipment will come in.

He also advises those headed abroad to talk to their physicians about a prescription for Tamiflu, a flu treatment drug.

“I think Tamiflu might be warranted if you are going somewhere where you might be exposed,” he said.

Smith said for anyone not traveling to Mexico, a face mask isn’t really necessary.

“If it makes you feel better, fine … but we’re not wearing them and we see sick people all the time.”