ATLANTA (AP) — Some health officials are concerned that holiday get-togethers could wind up spreading swine flu.
Thanksgiving is typically followed by at least a modest bump in early seasonal flu cases, according to reports from the past few years. But this, of course, is not a typical year. Swine flu is a new virus that accounts for nearly all flu cases right now.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to travel only if they are well, get vaccinated against swine and seasonal flu, wash their hands often, and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
Some 33 million Americans are expected to hit the nation's highways over the Thanksgiving holiday, a slight increase from last year. About 2.3 million more will travel by airplane.
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<<CUT …281 (11/24/09)>> 00:15 "to do that"
Doctor Mark Rupp, professor of infectious disease at University of Nebraska Medical Center
Doctor Mark Rupp, an infectious disease expert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, says you should try to avoid traveling in crowded situations if you are sick, or if you're not prepared to be near people who are ill.
<<CUT …282 (11/24/09)>> 00:14 "contact with them"
Doctor Mark Rupp, professor of infectious disease at University of Nebraska Medical Center
Doctor Mark Rupp, an infectious disease expert at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, says travelers should continue healthy habits to try to avoid catching the swine flu.
