With Albuquerque International Sunport expecting more than a quarter million travelers during the holiday season, health experts are advising frequent handwashing and vaccinations to prevent an increase in flu cases and other illnesses.”There is a spike during the holidays and it’s clear why people gather. They gather in small places with family and friends. They travel,” Abinash Achrekar, M.D, KOAT UNM health expert said.The travel period is expected to hit its peak this week, with Sunport officials predicting 266,000 travelers, and Sunday being the busiest day with an estimated 19,000 travelers.”This is a time that we should really be watching out for respiratory illnesses,” Achrekar said.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year at least 1 million people were hospitalized and more than 70,000 died from respiratory virus illnesses. RSV is not the only virus to be cautious of.”Just flu last year was 28,000 deaths and about four for more than 4 million hospitalizations,” Achrekar said. “There’s a variant called Subclade K, which isn’t part of the vaccine. So we might see a bigger flu season this year.””So this year we already have about 2,000 deaths,” Achrekar added.Achrekar advises people to get vaccinated and frequently wash their hands, while also avoiding putting hands near the face, mouth and eyes.When asked about mask usage, Achrekar said, “I just traveled in an airport recently and I didn’t wear a mask. If I was in a really tight place, like in a subway, I would wear a mask.””But if you’re coughing, absolutely. Wear a mask. If you have a fever, you probably shouldn’t go anywhere for about 24 hours. You are infectious,” Achrekar said.Symptoms to watch for include shortness of breath, coughing, and fever. Achrekar also noted that the elderly and people who are immunocompromised are most likely to get sick during the holiday period.
With Albuquerque International Sunport expecting more than a quarter million travelers during the holiday season, health experts are advising frequent handwashing and vaccinations to prevent an increase in flu cases and other illnesses.
“There is a spike during the holidays and it’s clear why people gather. They gather in small places with family and friends. They travel,” Abinash Achrekar, M.D, KOAT UNM health expert said.
The travel period is expected to hit its peak this week, with Sunport officials predicting 266,000 travelers, and Sunday being the busiest day with an estimated 19,000 travelers.
“This is a time that we should really be watching out for respiratory illnesses,” Achrekar said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year at least 1 million people were hospitalized and more than 70,000 died from respiratory virus illnesses. RSV is not the only virus to be cautious of.
“Just flu last year was 28,000 deaths and about four for more than 4 million hospitalizations,” Achrekar said. “There’s a variant called Subclade K, which isn’t part of the vaccine. So we might see a bigger flu season this year.”
“So this year we already have about 2,000 deaths,” Achrekar added.
Achrekar advises people to get vaccinated and frequently wash their hands, while also avoiding putting hands near the face, mouth and eyes.
When asked about mask usage, Achrekar said, “I just traveled in an airport recently and I didn’t wear a mask. If I was in a really tight place, like in a subway, I would wear a mask.”
“But if you’re coughing, absolutely. Wear a mask. If you have a fever, you probably shouldn’t go anywhere for about 24 hours. You are infectious,” Achrekar said.
Symptoms to watch for include shortness of breath, coughing, and fever. Achrekar also noted that the elderly and people who are immunocompromised are most likely to get sick during the holiday period.
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