With the recent spike of the H1N1 Influenza, both George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) are continuing to take additional steps to assist the traveling public.

Although areas at Houston’s airports are cleaned frequently, cleaning alone cannot eliminate spread of seasonal or H1N1 influenza.

“With millions of passengers traveling through IAH each year, we’re well aware that the busy holiday travel season is almost upon us,” says Charles Wall, IAH manager. “We want to be prepared by providing the hand sanitizers to help our passengers avoid additional germs that come along with traveling.”

Passengers traveling through Houston’s airports can find the hand sanitizing stations near security check points as well as signage displayed throughout the airports offering information to prevent the spread of germs.

“We want to ensure our passengers that we’re doing all we can to keep our airports as clean as possible, to avoid any unnecessary risk of contamination,” says Mary Case, HOU manager. “We encourage all passengers to consider carrying a small, three ounces or less, bottle of alcohol-based hand cleaner or gel in your carry-on bag so you can disinfect your hands frequently, even onboard the aircraft.”

The Centers for Disease Control has provided helpful information on steps you can take to protect your health and that of others:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue in a waste receptacle

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – entry points for the virus.

• If you have a flu-like illness, stay home if possible for at least 24 hours after your fever falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of aspirin or other fever- reducing medicine.