H1N1 Influenza Outbreak

On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency related to the outbreak of H1N1 in Mexico and the cases reported in the United States.  This is a precautionary tool that the U.S. federal government uses to activate resources needed for a developing situation.  On April 27, 2009, The Director-General of the World Health Organization categorized the level of influenza pandemic alert at phase 4.  Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.”  Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not mean that a pandemic is a foregone conclusion. 

The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) issued an emergency notice requiring people to report flu-like symptoms at ports of entry when coming from affected areas.  The United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has also implemented passive surveillance protocols to screen for ill individuals who may arrive at U.S. borders.

All individuals should 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 and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• H1N1 viruses are not spread by food.  You cannot get H1N1 from eating pork or pork products

For more travel information related to the outbreak, please consult the Department of State’s H1N1 Outbreak Information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html.  

For the most up-to-date information on affected countries, please refer to: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ 

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. or Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). 

The U.S. Embassy can be reached 24 hours per day at 86-10-8531-4000. The addresses and telephone contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates are at the bottom of this announcement. 

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in China are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at:  https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

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. Embassy’s website:  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 86-1370-800-1422.

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, 8^th 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, 14^th Wei Road, Heping District, Shenyang 110003; tel. 86-24-2322-1198, Email: ShenyangACS@state.gov.  For after hours emergencies, please call 86-1370-988-9307.