Theme parks step up flu precautions

ORLANDA, Fla., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Disney theme parks in Florida and California have taken steps to prevent the spread of H1N1, company officials said.

The company also hopes the moves reassure people worried about possible exposure to H1N1, or swine flu, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday.

Disney has installed dozens of hand-sanitizer dispensers at Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

Employees at the parks have been given sanitizers for use on "high-touch" surfaces like telephones and water fountains, and Disney has obtained some H1N1 vaccines for employees ages 18 to 24, who are at higher risk of contracting swine flu than other age groups.

Disney spokeswoman Zoraya Suarez called the measures "part of our ongoing effort to help prevent the spread of the flu."

"We have a global team of leaders that constantly monitors information regarding H1N1 flu, and we continue to evaluate and make adjustments to operations as the situation evolves," Suarez said.

Swine flu has infected an estimated 22 million Americans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, and about 3,900 have died.