Warden Message 050509

Update: May 5, 2009

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu.  Although a number of cases of H1N1 Influenza have now been reported in Europe, Asia and South America there are no known cases in Belgium as yet.

On April 29 the World Health Organization raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5.  The higher alert indicates there is a substantial risk of a pandemic, but not that a pandemic exists or is inevitable.  The change was based on the fact that there has been sustained human to human contact in at least two countries in one region.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza.  Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://belgium.usembassy.gov/medical_facilities.html.

For all of the latest up-to-date information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including the numbers of cases worldwide and the steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/flu/flu_1181.html, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.  For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov.

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.
 
Americans living or traveling in Belgium are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Belgium.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Boulevard du Regent, Regentlaan 25, 1000 Brussels and can be reached at +32-2-508 2111; the after-hours emergency number is the same. The fax number for the consular section is +32-2-508 2049. The Embassy’s web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Belgium, is found at http://brussels.usembassy.gov.