Warden Message
U.S. Embassy
Kabul, Afghanistan
June 18, 2009
H1N1 Influenza Update
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu or novel H1N1. On Thursday, June 11, 2009, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the status of H1N1 influenza to level 6. Press services quoted the Director General as stating, "On the basis of available evidence, and these expert assessments of the evidence, the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met." The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has received no reports of H1N1 in Afghanistan.
American citizens should be aware that the U.S. Embassy cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.
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
Please note that the U.S. Embassy is NOT advising Americans in Afghanistan to depart. At this time, the U.S. Embassy advises that Americans review the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and make their own decisions about whether to remain in Afghanistan.
For more information on U.S. Government policy during a pandemic, and for travel safety information, please see the State Department’s “Pandemic/Avian Influenza” and “Remain in Country” fact sheets on www.travel.state.gov. Further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, can be found at 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.
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 in Kabul 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 or Airport Road) in 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. The American Citizen Services section is open for non-emergency services from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday to Thursday and can be reached at 93-700-108-499 during those hours.