May 16, 2006
| WARDEN MESSAGE: Outbreak of Avian Influenza in Brasov County |
On May 12, according to media reports, Romanian authorities confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, which causes Avian Influenza (AI), in poultry in several locations in Brasov County, central Romania. (Map of Brasov County: http://www.aboutromania.com/maps74.html ). This is the first time H5N1 has been detected in commercial flocks in Romania. Authorities have quarantined the affected towns and villages. They are culling flocks of poultry and screening and spraying vehicles passing through the zone; investigating the extent to which the virus may have spread to other flocks or be present in poultry products already on the market; and destroying meat in the markets that can be identified as coming from the affected farms.
Avian Influenza is a disease in birds that can be passed to humans. It has not been observed to transmit between humans. To date, no cases of bird to human transmission have occurred in Romania.
American citizens are advised to avoid any areas where the Romanian government has detected avian influenza, consulting the local media for updated information on affected areas. Proper food handling and hygiene measures protect against H5N1 infection:
1. Avoid contact with live poultry. Should you come in contact with live birds, follow proper hand hygiene (washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or, when water is unavailable, with liquid hand sanitizers).
2. Use separate surfaces and utensils for uncooked poultry products. Do not handle cooked foods or foods eaten raw such as vegetables and fruit with items used on uncooked poultry.
3. Clean all eggs in soapy water or in a mild bleach solution. Cook eggs thoroughly before eating.
4. Cook all poultry products thoroughly (to 70 degrees Celsius).
5. Thoroughly clean all surfaces that have come in contact with uncooked poultry products.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly and often when preparing food.
7. If you have come into close contact with live fowl in AI infected areas, and become ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Romania to review information about AI, including suggested precautions, on the U.S. Department of State’s “Avian Flu Fact Sheet,” at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html . The State Department website includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), and links to websites of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidance on how private citizens can prepare for a “stay in place” response to an avian flu pandemic or a variety of other emergencies is available on the websites of the CDC, the American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (http://www.fema.gov) and http://pandemicflu.gov/ websites.
A specific vaccine for humans that is effective in preventing avian influenza is not yet readily available. Based upon limited data, the CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication Oseltamivir (brand name-Tamiflu) may be effective in treating people who are infected with H5N1. Because the U.S. Government cannot provide medication to private U.S. citizens abroad, the Embassy encourages American citizens traveling or living in Romania to consult with their private physician about obtaining Tamiflu prior to travel, or whether Tamiflu is readily available to them in this country.
The Embassy encourages Americans in Romania to register with the Embassy in Bucharest. Registration may be done on-line at: https://travelregistration.state.gov. Information on registration procedures, all security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, and recent Embassy warden messages are posted on the Embassy's website at: http://bucharest.usembassy.gov
The Embassy is located at 7-9 Str. Tudor Arghezi, Bucharest, Romania. During regular business hours you may contact the Embassy American Citizens Services office at 021-200-3300, or by email at acsbucharest@state.gov . The emergency after-hours telephone number is 021-200-3433.