December 12th, 2009 by admin

As thousands of travelers head home for the holiday season by train, plane and automobile, transportation companies are taking extra measures to ensure that the holiday season does not trigger the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National

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As thousands of travelers head home for the holiday season by train, plane and automobile, transportation companies are taking extra measures to ensure that the holiday season does not trigger the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases encouraged travelers to take preventive steps to avoid contracting the flu this holiday season, and advised that people with flu-like symptoms should avoid travel altogether if possible.

United Airlines spokeswoman Sarah Massier says the airline is working with the CDC and the World Health Organization to provide passengers with the latest H1N1 and seasonal flu guidelines while traveling. The airline is encouraging travelers who are ill, or those that are experiencing flu-like symptoms this holiday season, to postpone or cancel their flights and wait at least a few days after their symptoms have subsided before heading out.
While there were no travel advisories related to H1N1 outbreaks over the Thanksgiving holiday, transportation companies are actively monitoring all areas and advising passengers to seek medical attention if they think that they are too ill to fly.

Even bus companies are taking steps to reduce the spread of the swine flu. A spokeswoman for Greyhound Lines, Incorporated says that Greyhound is doing everything possible to follow CDC guidelines by providing drivers with hand sanitizers, respirator masks and vinyl gloves. The company also cleans all of its buses thoroughly each day with a powerful disinfectant.

Amtrak is following CDC guidelines by installing hand sanitizers on all of its trains and ensuring that all drivers and employees follow sanitation guidelines. A media representative from Amtrak points out that it is highly unlikely that people using Amtrak this holiday season will be affected by the H1N1 flu, and the company is expected just as many passengers as last year.