H1N1 Fluenza A
Date: June 18, 2009
To: The American Community
From: Embassy of the United States, Vientiane
Subject: Warden Message: First Confirmed Case of 2009-H1N1 in Laos
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu or novel H1N1. On June 17, 2009, the Lao Ministry of Public Health issued a press release confirming the first confirmed human case of 2009-H1N1 in Laos. The infected person recently travelled from a country with confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 and required no hospitalization.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation carefully but have taken no actions to limit travel to or from Laos. All close contacts of the infected person are being contacted and monitored for symptoms of infection in order to minimize the spread of infection. The National Emerging Infectious Disease Coordinating Office (NEIDCO) has set up an Influenza hotline that may be reached by dialing 166 in Laos. 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://laos.usembassy.gov/medical_information.html
Please note that the Embassy is NOT advising Americans in Laos to depart. At this time, the Embassy advises that Americans review the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and make their own decisions about whether to remain in Laos.
For more information on U.S. Government policy during a pandemic, and for travel safety information, please see the State Department’s “Pandemic/Avian Influenza” and “Remain in Country” fact sheets on www.travel.state.gov. Further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, can be found at 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.
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 Laos 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 (name of country). 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 Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy Vientiane, Laos ,is located at Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane, Lao PDR (near That Dam Stupa), and the telephone number is +856-21-267-000. Recorded Emergency Information can be obtained by calling at +856-21-267-111. American Citizen Services Unit Window Hours are Monday to Friday, 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. On Monday and Friday mornings we are also open 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane will be closed on July 3, 2009 for Independence Day.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this list, go to: http://travelregistration.state.gov or send an email to conslao@state.gov
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