Warden Message: 2009- H1N1 Influenza

U.S. Embassy Libreville

April 30, 2009

 

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, also known as swine flu.  There have not been any reports of this virus in Gabon or Sao Tome & Principe.  U.S. citizens should monitor local media reports for health advisories from the governments of Gabon and Sao Tome. 
 
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended on April 27, 2009 that U.S. citizens defer all nonessential travel to Mexico because of the outbreak of 2009-H1N1 “swine” Influenza.  The CDC Travel Notice which advises U.S. citizens of the health risks that may be involved with travel to Mexico and provides a list of precautions travelers can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found at the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx.
 
For additional information on this ongoing situation, please consult the Department of State information on Swine Flu at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html or WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean website at http://www.emro.who.int/index.asp.
 
When any flu virus is circulating, it is important to practice good hygiene (wash hands regularly with soap and water and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze), to seek appropriate treatment promptly if you have flu-like symptoms (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/takingcare.pdf ), to avoid sick people, to avoid other people if you are sick, and to have an adequate supply of water and food in case you need to stay in place for several days to weeks in the event of an emergency.  There is no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.  If necessary, the U.S. Embassy recommends that American citizens be seen at private hospitals only due to ongoing health worker strikes (Gabon-specific) and quality of care provided.
 
The U.S. Embassy is located at Boulevard Bord De Mer, Libreville, Gabon. The American Citizen Services office can be reached via the Embassy Switchboard at +241 76-20-03/04.  Walk-in hours for the public are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am-12:00 pm, and by appointment those days.  In the event of an emergency or if you require urgent assistance outside of those hours, please call +241 07-38-01-71.