One of the new e-cards the CDC wants you to send out
to traveling friends and family.
CDC.gov

Traveling and gatherings are "an ideal way for illness to spread" says the CDC. So to help the millions of Americans that will travel through the nation’s airports, seaports, and train stations, not to mention gas stations on the road... the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched its largest ever public awareness campaign about staying healthy while traveling.

“The holidays are one of the busiest travel times of the year,” said Anne Schuchat, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “People are in close contact – whether they’re on a plane, train, ship or just visiting with loved ones. This campaign provides practical advice to help travelers prepare for their trips and stay healthy during their holiday travel.”

CDC is urging people to take the following steps when planning their travel and to stay informed about what to do if they get sick while they’re gone, including:

• Traveling only when they are feeling well
• Getting vaccinated for flu (both seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 if they are in a priority group)
• Washing hands often
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve

“We know that flu – and specifically H1N1 this year – is a big concern for people, but flu shouldn’t ruin the holidays,” Dr. Schuchat said. “By practicing a little prevention, people can enjoy their holidays and stay well at the same time.”

Campaign themes include “Prevention can be Travel-Sized” and “Stop, Wash and Go.” And the CDC wants you to help spread the word and remind folks that safe travel also includes stopping the spread of germs this holiday season. They have some fun, free e-cards at cdc.gov for you to send out to family and friends before they hit the road this week.

The CDC developed the campaign in response to the emergence in April of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic. Since then, flu has spread throughout the country and around the world. In the United States, it has accounted for millions of cases and more than 4,000 deaths since April.

For more information about the CDC Travelers’ Health campaign, recommendations regarding travel, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/novel-h1n1-flu.aspx. For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit http://www.flu.gov.