Avian Flu Fact Sheet


FACT SHEET: AVIAN INFLUENZA A (H5N1) and PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

This fact sheet alerts Americans to the Department of State's preparedness efforts with respect to a possible influenza pandemic. The Department of State emphasizes that, in the event of a pandemic, its ability to assist Americans traveling and residing abroad may be severely limited by restrictions on local and international movement imposed for public health reasons, either by foreign governments and/or the United States. Furthermore, American citizens should take note that the Department of State cannot provide Americans traveling or living abroad with medications or supplies even in the event of a pandemic.

Background - H5N1 Avian Influenza A

Countries continue to report cases of avian influenza A(H5N1), commonly referred to as "bird flu" in their domestic and wild bird populations. In addition, countries are reporting H5N1 in other wild and domestic animal populations. A small number of confirmed cases of H5N1 among humans have been reported, some of which have resulted in death. More information is available on the World Health Organization (WHO) web site, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/. Please refer to this web site for the most up to date information on the countries affected by H5N1 and the number of deaths.

The vast majority of the reported human cases have resulted from direct contact with H5N1-infected poultry. Although there is evidence to suggest very limited, human-to-human transmission in family groups involving close exposure to a critically ill member, there is no evidence that the virus can be easily or sustainably transmitted from human-to-human. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC), the WHO, and the Department of State are nonetheless concerned about the potential for the virus to adapt or mutate into a strain that can be easily transmitted in a sustained manner among humans, a characteristic that could result in a human influenza pandemic, and are working closely with other partners to prepare for the possibility of pandemic influenza. Information on the U.S. Government's overall response and efforts is available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov.

Travel and Avian Influenza A

The Department of State, HHS/CDC and the WHO have not issued any health precautions, travel alerts or warnings for H5N1 infected areas. However, HHS/CDC advises travelers to H5N1 affected countries to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces or fluids from poultry or other animals, and to eat only thoroughly cooked poultry products. American citizens traveling to or living in H5N1 affected countries should consider the potential risks and keep informed of the latest medical guidance and information in order to make appropriate plans. Specific HHS/CDC travel information relating to H5N1, including preventive measures, is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm and http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Additional general country information can be obtained from the Department of State's Country Specific Information at http://travel.state.gov and embassy and consulate web sites at http://www.usembassy.gov/. You may also call the Department of State's toll-free number, 1-888-407 4747, or if calling from overseas, 202-501-4444.

Prevention, Response and Treatment - Take Charge of Your Plans

A vaccine for humans that is effective in preventing infection with the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus is not yet available. Based upon limited data, HHS/CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication Oseltamivir (brand name- Tamiflu®) may be effective in treating avian influenza A. U.S. embassies and consulates do not have supplies of this drug for use by private American citizens abroad. The Department of State has pre-positioned supplies of the drug Tamiflu® at its embassies and consulates worldwide, for eligible U.S. Government employees and their families serving abroad. Americans should also be aware of the potential health risk posed by counterfeit drugs, including those represented as Tamiflu®, by scam artists who sell products on the Internet or in countries with lax regulations governing the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals. For more information on counterfeit drugs please visit the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) questions and answers for counterfeit drugs at http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/qa.html.

In addition, the Department of State has asked its embassies and consulates to consider preparedness measures that take into consideration the fact that travel into or out of a country may not be possible, safe, or medically advisable during a pandemic. Guidance on how private citizens can prepare to remain in country, including stocking food, water, and medical supplies, is available at the www.pandemicflu.gov web site. Embassy stocks cannot be made available to private American citizens abroad and we encourage people living in an area with outbreaks of H5N1 to prepare appropriately.  (Please review the Remain in Country in a Pandemic flyer.)

It is also likely that governments will respond to a pandemic by imposing public health measures that restrict domestic and international movement, further limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist Americans in these countries. These measures can be implemented very quickly. Areas of known H5N1 outbreaks in poultry have been quarantined by governments within 24 hours, restricting (if not preventing) movement into and out of the affected area.

Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the virus or who are concerned about avian influenza are advised to monitor HHS/CDC and the WHO web sites for the latest information.

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

Traveler's Web Site
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

WHO Liaison Office in Washington, DC
Contact Information:
Telephone: (202) 974-3787

Address:
WHO Liaison Office
1889 F Street, NW, Suite 369
Washington, DC  20006 USA

March 2008