Warden Messages

September 08, 2005

Update on Avian Flu in Mongolia

US Embassy Mongolia would like to remind all American Citizens living and
traveling in Mongolia that the updated Avian Flu fact sheet was sent out in
a warden message on August 8, 2005.

Recently, tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently confirmed one
positive case of a dead wild fowl in Hovsgol aimag, Mongolia as being
infected with the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus.  The text of the
August 18 Wildlife Conservation Society press release announcing the
positive test result can be found at: http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0818-wcs_flu.html.

Updated information on the outbreak of Avian Influenza can be found at the
CDC and the WHO website listed in the fact sheet.

 

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August 8, 2005 Warden Message:

 

Avian Flu Fact Sheet
 
This Fact Sheet alerts Americans to the most recent occurrences of Influenza
A H5N1 (avian influenza strain) in Asia. A number of countries are reporting
cases of avian influenza, commonly referred to as "bird flu." The H5N1
strain of influenza causes severe disease in fowl. In addition, several SE
Asian countries have reported a number of bird-to-human transmissions of the
avian flu. Please visit the WHO website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en
for the most up to date information on the countries affected.

The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact
with poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest possible
human-to-human transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department are concerned
about the potential for human-to-human transmission of this highly dangerous
flu strain, and are working closely with other partners in an effort to
monitor the outbreak.

At this time, CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel alerts or
advisories for avian flu-infected areas. However, CDC advises travelers to
countries in Asia with documented H5N1 outbreaks to avoid poultry farms,
contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to
be contaminated with feces from poultry or other animals. CDC advises
travelers to clean their hands often with soap and water or waterless
alcohol-based hand-rubs to help prevent disease transmission. In addition,
as a precaution, all foods from poultry, including eggs, should be
thoroughly cooked. CDC further advises any travelers with a febrile
respiratory illness returning from countries affected by H5N1 virus (bird
flu) to seek prompt medical attention.

The WHO does not at present conclude that any processed poultry products
(whole refrigerated or frozen carcasses and products derived from these) or
eggs pose a risk to public health.

A specific vaccine for humans that is effective against avian influenza has
not yet been developed. Based upon limited data, the CDC has suggested that
the anti-viral medication Oseltamavir (brand name-Tamiflu) may be effective
in preventing or treating avian influenza.  Using this input, the Department
of State has decided to pre-position the drug Tamiflu at its Embassies and
Consulates in the Southeast Asian Region for eligible US Government
employees and their families serving abroad.

Tamiflu may not be readily available overseas and the State Department
encourages American citizens traveling or living abroad that are interested
in obtaining this medication to consult with their physician.

Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the virus
or who are concerned about the Avian flu are advised to monitor the CDC and
the WHO web sites, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm and
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ for the latest
information.

Additional country information can be obtained from the Department of
State's Consular Information Sheets at http://travel.state.gov and from
the Department of State's toll-free number, 1-888-407-4747, or if calling
from overseas, 202-501-4444.

CDC Contact Information:
Public Inquiries:
English (888) 246-2675
Spanish (888) 246-2857
TTY (866) 874-2646
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST
Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST

Address:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA (404) 639-3311

WHO Liaison Office in Washington, DC
Contact Information:
Telephone: (202) 331-9081
Facsimile: (202) 331-9097
Address:
WHO Liaison Office
1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 430
Washington, D.C. 20006 USA

The US Embassy in Ulaanbaatar is located just off of Ikh Toiruu (Big Ring
Rd) in the 11th Micro-district, next to the Laotian Embassy. We can be
reached by telephone at 976-11-329-095; by fax at 976-11-320-776; or by
email at cons@usembassy.mn.