Warden Message

June 12, 2009

This warden message provides U.S. citizens with the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, and it updates the warden message dated June 1, 2009.

Yesterday, June 11, 2009, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the level of influenza pandemic alert at phase 6.  It is important to understand that this change is based on the geographic spread of the virus to other parts of the world and does not necessarily reflect any change in the severity of the virus or associated illness.  Phase 6 is characterized by community level human-to-human spread of the virus in at least another region outside of North America.  At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate.

The moderate assessment reflects that:

1. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
   
2. Overall, national levels of severe illness from influenza A(H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.
   

As of COB June 11, China's Ministry of Health (MOH) has officially communicated information about 126 confirmed cases of infection by the novel 2009 influenza A/H1N1.  Confirmed cases have been detected in ten provinces and the municipalities of Beijing and Shanghai, with the greatest number of cases occurring in Guangdong Province, Fujian Province, Sichuan Province, Beijing, and Shanghai.  Of the 126 confirmed cases, MOH reported on June 8 that 50 infected patients had recovered and been released from treatment.  The remaining cases are being treated in isolation at local designated hospitals.  To date, all of the current cases are recovering without severe complications.

For the most up-to-date information on affected countries, please refer to:
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/, and http://www.who.int.  Currently, the illnesses and symptoms caused by the novel H1N1 virus have been similar to that of seasonal influenza.  Thus, we continue to encourage all individuals to take responsibility for their own health by following these steps to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  

• If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should call your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
  

• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom free for at least 24 hours and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  

• Maintain healthy eating habits.  The Novel H1N1 virus is not spread by food. 
  

The 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 Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, listings of hospitals and doctors for the five consular districts can be found at the following websites:

Beijing:   http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/acs_health.html
Shanghai:  http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_facilities.html
Guangzhou:  http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_providers_in_south_china.htm
Chengdu:  http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/health/_local_doctors.html
Shenyang:  http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical2.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 and Prevention 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 China are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate 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 China.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-8531-3000.  The addresses and telephone contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China are at the bottom of this announcement. 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. 

U.S. Embassy Beijing:  Tian Ze Road intersection of An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District.  Telephone number during regular business hours and for after-hours emergencies: 86-10-8531-4000, Email: amcitbeijing@state.gov.  The embassy’s website is beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn. 

U.S. Consulate General Chengdu:  Number 4, Lingshiguan Road, Section 4, Renmin Nanlu, Chengdu 610041, tel. 86-28-8558-3992, Email: consularchengdu@state.gov.  For after hours emergencies, please call 86-28-1370-800-1422.

U.S. Consulate General Guangzhou:  The Consular Section is located at 5th Floor, Tianyu Garden (II phase), 136-146 Lin He Zhong Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510133, tel. (86-20) 8518-7605, Email: GuangzhouACS@state.gov.  Guangzhou adoptions Email: GuangzhouA@state.gov.  For after hours emergencies, please call 86-20-8121-8000.

U.S. Consulate General Shanghai:  The Consular Section is located in the Westgate Mall, 8th Floor, 1038 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200041; tel. (86-21) 3217-4650, Email: Shanghaiacs@state.gov.  For after hours emergencies, please call 86-21-6433-3936.

U.S. Consulate General Shenyang:  No. 52, 14th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. (86-24) 2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov.  For after hours emergencies, please call 86-24-137-0988-9307.