December 2, 2005
| Warden Message: UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA IN ROMANIA |
On December 1, Romanian authorities detected the H5 avian flu virus in domesticated birds in two villages in Braila county: Bumbacari, in Dudesti district, and Dudescu, in Zavoaia district; and in Periprava village, Sulina district, in Tulcea county. This followed detection of H5 in a domesticated bird in nearby Scarlatesti on November 26. Further tests will show whether the birds carried the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. Romanian authorities have imposed quarantines on these villages and are culling poultry from the area. Meanwhile, authorities have lifted quarantines previously imposed on Ceamurlia de Jos, Maliuc and and Vulturu in Tulcea county and declared the outbreak of avian flu in those areas extinguished. A quarantine remains in place in Caraorman village, Tulcea county.
The U.S. Embassy again reminds U.S. citizens in Romania that information about avian influenza ("avian flu," "bird flu," "chicken flu") including suggested precautions, is available in the U.S. Department of State’s “Avian Flu Fact Sheet,” which can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html . This website includes answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), and links to avian influenza information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Embassy urges all Americans in Romania to monitor these websites.
American citizens are advised to avoid any areas where the Romanian government has detected avian influenza, consulting the local media or the Embassy website for updated information on affected areas.
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 021-316-4052, or by email at acsbucharest@state.gov. The emergency after-hours telephone number is 021-319-4106.