LAWA STATEMENT REGARDING SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES

"Los Angeles World Airports officials stated today that reasonable precautions are being taken at Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) as more cases of swine flu in the United States were confirmed by federal health officials over the weekend.  Airport custodians, who normally clean and sanitize restrooms twice an hour in LAX’s five terminals where incoming international flights are processed, are paying additional attention to sanitizing door knobs, handrails and faucets on a regular basis.  In addition, public education signs with general tips on preventing the spread of illnesses -- that are regularly posted throughout the airport during regular flu season -- are being re-posted.

Airline employees, passenger information and assistance staffers, customs and border protection officers, custodians, airfield bus drivers, etc. have all been reminded by their employers to follow long-established practices on good respiratory etiquette, such as covering mouths when coughing or sneezing; avoiding close contact with others who are ill with a cold or flu; keeping fingers out of mouth, nose and eyes; not sharing towels, drinking glasses and utensils; and, of course, wash or sanitize hands frequently.

These actions are reasonable precautions and are not mandated by federal, state or local public health officials.

There are several airlines at LAX that operate a total of 45 daily flights to and from several destinations in Mexico.  LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) has one scheduled daily flight from Mexico.”