PARIS – Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday has cancelled a concert in Reunion due to the rapid spread of swine flu on the Indian Ocean Island, his producer said on Friday.

Hallyday, 66, was due to perform on September 20 Saint Denis de la Reunion, capital of the French island where two people have died after contracting the A(H1N1) virus and another 49,700 people have been infected.

"Based on data and recommendations from French and international health authorities, the production team decided not to expose the artists and technical team to risks linked to the A(H1N1) flu," a statement said.

According to associates of the singer, the insurance policy taken out by his producer Jean-Claude Camus does not cover risks linked to swine flu.

Hallyday was hospitalized for a nine-day medical check-up at his insurers' request last month, after taking a fall on a yacht off the coast from Monaco.

Some 700,000 people turned at the foot of the Eiffel Tower on France's Bastille Day national holiday in July for a free concert by the rock star, who has said the current tour will be his last.