Warden Message – Important Information on H1N1 Influenza
Warden Message – Important Information on H1N1 Influenza
Kabul, Afghanistan
May 4, 2009
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu. There have been no reported cases of H1N1 in Afghanistan. The Afghan Government has formed an inter-ministerial Swine Influenza Taskforce Committee that meets daily, and all health facilities are on alert for symptomatic patients. In addition, airport and border workers are on the lookout for symptomatic travelers. The Afghan Public Health Institute established a Command and Control Center, and tests for H1N1 Influenza at Kabul hospitals were negative. The Afghan Government has reported that Tamiflu is in limited supply and there is limited laboratory capacity for testing. The Ministry of Public Health announced that the import of Tamiflu and Zanamivir is allowed.
The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza. Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Although the U.S. Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at: http://kabul.usembassy.gov/medical_information2.html.
For further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.
Americans living or traveling in Afghanistan are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Afghanistan. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at Great Masood Road between Radio Afghanistan and the Ministry of Public Health (the road is also known as Bebe Mahro (Airport Road), Kabul. The phone number is +93-700-108-001 or +93-700-108-002; the Consular Section can be reached for after-hours emergencies at +93-700-201-908.