Reported by: Leanne Gregg
NBC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is launching a new, "Travel Well," campaign just in time for the holidays.
It's designed to help travelers avoid both the seasonal and H1N1 flu.
Holiday travel often means large crowds, jammed flights, and with widespread flu activity, it can also be a prime time for people to come face to face with viruses.
Including the H1N1 swine flu.
"Anytime people are close together, there is possibility of germs spreading," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That's why the CDC is launching its largest ever public awareness campaign about staying healthy while traveling.
"One of the most important things people can do is travel only if they're well," Schuchat said.
Consider buying travelers insurance in case you do have to cancel at the last minute because of illness.
"I think the airlines have been flexible. The polices are different for different carriers," said Katherine Andrus of the Air Transportation Association.
The “Travel Well” campaign will use social media, posters at airports and border crossings, television and radio ads, to advise people not only to stay home if they're sick, but to wash hands often, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and get a flu shot if in a high risk group.
"We're up to 51.9 million doses of vaccine for states to order," said Schuchat.
Still not enough for everyone but health officials promise more vaccine is on the way, and the flu season could last until May.
The CDC reports that flu related hospitalizations and deaths are extremely high nationwide compared to what's normal for this time of year.
"These common sense steps do make a difference," Schuchat said.
The campaign will continue through the first of the year, in hopes of keeping the holiday season healthy.
Since the H1Ni virus first emerged last April, it has accounted for millions of cases of illness, and more than 4,000 deaths in the U.S. alone.
