November 25, 2009

Virginia health officials are urging people to be especially vigilant in protecting themselves and others against the so-called swine flu this Thanksgiving.

State health commissioner Dr. Karen Remley said Wednesday that travelers should wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer, especially after pumping gas or touching things in airports that may have been touched by someone carrying the H1N1 virus. She also urged people to cover their coughs and sneezes.

She said there could be a slight bump in swine flu as college students go home.

Remley says health officials have allocated 1.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine for high-risk Virginians, and the vaccine should be available for everyone around mid-December. Swine flu has been linked to 30 deaths in Virginia.