Avian Flu
Avian Flu Fact Sheet (July 2006)
Fact Sheet from the Department of State -- July 2006
Latest Information re Avian Influenza A (H5N1) and Pandemic Influenza
This fact sheet alerts Americans to the Department of State's
preparedness efforts with respect to a possible influenza pandemic.
The Department of State emphasizes that, in the event of a pandemic, its
ability to assist Americans traveling and residing abroad may be
severely limited by restrictions on local and international movement
imposed for public health reasons, either by foreign governments and/or
the United States. Furthermore, American citizens should take note that
the Department of State cannot provide Americans traveling or living
abroad with medications or supplies even in the event of a pandemic.
Background - H5N1 Avian Influenza A
Countries continue to report cases of avian influenza A (H5N1),
commonly referred to as "bird flu" in their domestic and wild bird populations.
In addition, countries are reporting H5N1 in other wild and domestic
animal populations. A small number of confirmed cases ofH5N1 among
humans have been reported, some of which have resulted in death. More
information is available on the World Health Organization (WHO)
website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/. Please
refer to this website for the most up to date information on the
countries affected by H5N1 and the number of deaths.
The vast majority of the reported human cases have resulted from direct
contact with H5N1-infected poultry. Although there is evidence to
suggest very limited, human-to-human transmission in family groups
involving close exposure to a critically ill member, there is no
evidence that the virus can be easily or sustainably transmitted from
human-to-human. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DHHS/CDC), the WHO, and the
Department of State are nonetheless concerned about the potential for
the virus to adapt or mutate into a strain that can be easily
transmitted in a sustained manner among humans, a characteristic that
could result in a human influenza pandemic, and are working closely
with other partners to prepare for the possibility of pandemic influenza.
Information on the U.S. Government's overall response and efforts is
available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.
Travel and Avian Influenza A
The Department of State, the DHHS/CDC and the WHO have not issued any
health precautions, travel alerts or warnings for H5N1 infected areas.
However, the DHHS/CDC advises travelers to H5N1 affected countries to
avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any
surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces or fluids from
poultry or other animals, and to eat only thoroughly cooked poultry
products. American citizens traveling to or living in H5N1 affected
countries should consider the potential risks and keep informed of the
latest medical guidance and information in order to make appropriate
plans. Specific DHHS/CDC travel information relating to H5N1,
including preventive measures, is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/travel.
WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.
Additional general country information can be obtained from the
Department of State's Consular Information Sheets at
http://travel.state.gov/ and embassy and consulate websites at
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/embassies/embassies_1214.html.
You may also call the Department of State's toll-free number,
1-888-407-4747, or if calling from overseas, 202-501-4444.
Prevention, Response and Treatment - Take Charge of Your Plans
A vaccine for humans that is effective in preventing infection with the
avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is not yet available. Based upon limited
data, the DHHS/CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication
Oseltamivir(brand name- Tamiflu) may be effective in treating avian
influenza A. U.S. embassies and consulates do not have supplies of
this drug for use by private American citizens abroad. The Department of
State has pre-positioned supplies of the drug Tamiflu at its embassies
and consulates worldwide, for eligible U.S. Government employees and
their families serving abroad. Americans should also be aware of the
potential health risk posed by counterfeit drugs, including those
represented as Tamiflu, by scam artists who sell products on the
internet or in countries with lax regulations governing the production
and distribution of pharmaceuticals. For more information on
counterfeit drugs please visit the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) questions
and answers for counterfeit drugs at http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/qa.html
In addition, the Department of State has asked its embassies and
consulates to consider preparedness measures that take into
consideration the fact that travel into or out of a country may not be
possible, safe, or medically advisable during a pandemic. Guidance on
how private citizens can prepare to shelter in place, including
stocking food, water, and medical supplies, is available at the
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ website. Embassy stocks cannot be made
available to private American citizens abroad and we encourage people
living in an area with outbreaks of H5N1 to prepare appropriately.
It is also likely that governments will respond to a pandemic by
imposing public health measures that restrict domestic and
international movement, further limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist
Americans in these countries. These measures can be implemented very
quickly. Areas of known H5N1 outbreaks in poultry have been
quarantined by governments within 24 hours, restricting (if not preventing)
movement into and out of the affected area.
Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the
virus or who are concerned about avian influenza are advised to monitor
the DHHS/CDC and the WHO websites for the latest information.
CDC Contact Information
Public Inquiries:
English (888) 246-2675
Spanish (888) 246-2857
TTY (866) 874-2646
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST
Address:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA (404) 639-3311
Traveler's Website
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
WHO Liaison Office in Washington, DC
Contact Information:
Telephone: (202) 974-3787
Facsimile: (202) 974-3789
Address:
WHO Liaison Office
1889 F Street, N.W., Suite 369
Washington, D.C. 20006 USA