LIHU‘E — Germs spread more easily when people are traveling, and it’s important for travelers to stay healthy, said a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spokesperson.

To prevent the spread of seasonal and swine (H1N1) flu this holiday season, the CDC Thursday announced the launch of a national campaign for healthy traveling, involving a few common-sense steps to prevent spread of infectious diseases among the traveling public:

• Travel only when healthy;

• Get vaccinated against the flu;

• Wash hands often;

•  Cover coughs and sneezes.

Flu vaccinations are important not just to prevent catching or spreading the flu, but to also prevent a common and potentially deadly side-effect of the flu — pneumonia, said CDC officials and Dr. Sarah Park, state Department of Health state epidemiologist.

A pair of effective vaccinations are available to help prevent contraction of pneumococcus bacteria, the bacteria causing pneumonia, according to the CDC.

A concern is that 70 million Americans fall into the high-risk category for contracting pneumococcus bacterial infections, according to the CDC.

Pneumonia is a potential complication for those with the flu, especially infants and senior citizens, Park said.

On the Web: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel; www.flu.gov