Traveling with the H1N1 virus?

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Tags:

h1n1, raleigh durham airport, local/state

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year as everyone hits the roadways and airways.

However this year those traveling for Thanksgiving by plane, soaring air prices and bag restrictions aren't the only concerns as the H1N1 virus complicates things.

AAA expected air travel to fall roughly six percent this Thanksgiving compared to last year.

Despite a deserted terminal and a few delays, Raleigh-Durham International Airport officials say flights into the Triangle were filled to capacity Wednesday.

With planes packed lots of people are in very close contact. But it seems most people aren't letting the possibility of spreading germs and getting sick ruin their holiday.

"There was no running water on the flight which made it really, really kind of nerve racking, because we all thought we'd get off with H1N1," traveler Austin McLean said.

So travelers say they are taking precautions against the swine flu.

"Hand sanitizer, got the shots, feeling good about it," traveler Michael Haley said. "No different from a work environment or school environment."

Airport officials say RDU isn't doing anything different because of the new virus.

But there are signs urging travelers to stay home and to avoid contact if they come down with any flu-like symptoms.

For everyone else there are reminders to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, wash hands frequently and avoid close contact.

"I feel like it's almost dying down now and we have a good control on it," traveler Jon Bennett said.

Bennett says his whole family came down from Canada for the American holiday and the swine flu is the last thing on their minds.