May 24, 2006
| WARDEN MESSAGE: Parts of Bucharest, and towns in ten counties, quarantined for avian influenza in birds |
Romanian authorities have quarantined parts of Sectors 2 and 4 in Bucharest, as well as several dozen localities in ten counties around Romania, where they have confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, which causes Avian Influenza (AI), in household poultry. This is the first confirmation of H5N1 in the capital. Authorities are culling flocks of poultry and screening and spraying vehicles passing through the quarantine zones.
Quarantines may be imposed on short notice if the authorities find new areas where AI is suspected. American citizens are advised to respect the quarantine zones, avoiding those areas if outside of the zones and remaining at home if instructed by the local authorities to do so. We encourage you to cooperate with quarantine check points and public health measures such as spraying of vehicles with chemicals to prevent spread of the virus.
The Embassy reminds American citizen residents in Romania to ensure their households are prepared for emergencies, including possible periods of quarantine. The Embassy recommends having three weeks’ worth of water, food and daily necessities available for every member of the household. You may 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.
Avian Influenza is a disease in birds that can be passed to humans. To date, there have been no known human cases of AI in Romania. Human cases around the world have involved people in extremely close contact with live poultry or those slaughtering fowl. Staying away from areas where birds are raised, slaughtered or sold, as well as standard hand washing and food preparation hygiene should be practiced. Contact your health care provider immediately should you come in close contact with sick birds or birds suspected of having AI, and should you develop flu-like symptoms.
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.