Posted by: Chica
Avian Flu - 10/20/05 06:37 AM
Hi Everyone --
I am on an email distribution list for the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. This morning I got the following message from the Warden which I thought I would post here to share with other expats who live in Spain.
Stay safe!
Embassy of the United States of America
Madrid, Spain
U.S. Citizen Warden Message
= October 20, 2005 =
The following Warden Message is for maximum dissemination to U.S. Citizens.
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT -- AVIAN FLU
We at the U. S. Embassy in Madrid would like to first take this opportunity to introduce the new Consul General in Madrid, Laura A. Clerici. Ms. Clerici comes to us from Mexico City, where she was also the U.S. Consul General.
We would also like to bring to your attention the U. S. Government and Spanish Government’s information on a public health issue widely reported in the press, the Avian Flu. At the end of this message we repeat the State Department’s Avian Flu Fact Sheet which was updated just this week.
The Spanish Government is also concerned about the potential public health impact of the avian flu and has recently prepared a report, in Spanish, on the “gripe aviar.” That report is available with frequently asked questions at the website maintained by the Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo: http://www.msc.es/enfermedadesLesiones/enfTrasmisi/gripe/pdf/gripeAviar.pdf. The Ministry also published its National Influenza Preparedness and Reponse Plan, available in English at: http://www.msc.es/enfermedadesLesiones/enfTrasmisi/PlanPandemiaGripre/pdf/PlanGripeIngles.pdf.
As reported in the press, the Spanish plan includes:
- Daily monitoring and coordination with international organizations, included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
- The prohibition of bird products from affected countries,
- Strengthening border controls on animals in general,
- Acquisition of two million doses of anti-viral drugs to treat those most at risk, and
- Strengthening the general vaccination effort for all at risk groups.
We understand that Oseltamavir (brand name Tamiflu), the anti-viral drug, if available in Spain, does require a prescription. However, the manufacturer is not currently marketing this drug in Spain.
Avian Flu Fact Sheet
October 19, 2005
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" in their domestic and wild bird populations. The H5N1 strain of influenza causes severe disease in domesticated fowl. In addition, there are confirmed cases of bird-to-human transmissions of avian influenza in the South East Asia region, many of which have resulted in death. Please visit The WHO website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease_influenza/country/en/ for the most up to date information on the countries affected and the number of deaths.
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.
Concerns about the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic have prompted international and national effort to institute pandemic preparedness measures. In keeping with the CDC and the WHO guidance, the Department of State is working with its embassies and consulates worldwide to prepare in the event of a pandemic. American citizens traveling to or living in countries where avian influenza is prevalent should consider the potential risks and keep informed of the latest medical guidance and information in order to make appropriate plans.
The Department, the CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel alerts or warnings for avian flu-infected areas. However, the 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 or fluids from poultry or other animals. In addition, the Department 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. Specific CDC travel information relating to avian influenza, including preventive measures is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.
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 worldwide, for eligible U.S. 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. There is no provision for the U.S. Government to provide American citizens traveling or living abroad with medications, including in the event of a pandemic.
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 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
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Contact information:
Telephone: 45 39 171 717
Facsimlie: 45 39 171 818
e-mail: postmaster@euro.who.int
Address: 8, Scherfigsvej
DK-2100 Copenhagen 0
Denmark
Following are the contact numbers of our Embassy in Spain, as well as the Consulate General in Barcelona and the different consular agencies. All these contact numbers and their addresses are available on the Internet at http://www.embusa.es/. We repeat, however, for information concerning the Avian Flu, please refer to the Spanish Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the WHO.
Consular Section Madrid. American Citizen Services: 91-587-2240
Embassy and emergencies after hours: 91-587-2200
American Consulate General Barcelona: 93-280-2227.
Consular Agency La Coruña: 981-213-233
Consular Agency Las Palmas: 928-271-259
Consular Agency Málaga: 952-474-891
Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca: 971-403-707
Consular Agency Seville: 954-231-885
Consular Agency Valencia: 963-516-973
October 2005
I am on an email distribution list for the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. This morning I got the following message from the Warden which I thought I would post here to share with other expats who live in Spain.
Stay safe!
Quote:
Embassy of the United States of America
Madrid, Spain
U.S. Citizen Warden Message
= October 20, 2005 =
The following Warden Message is for maximum dissemination to U.S. Citizens.
SUBJECT: PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT -- AVIAN FLU
We at the U. S. Embassy in Madrid would like to first take this opportunity to introduce the new Consul General in Madrid, Laura A. Clerici. Ms. Clerici comes to us from Mexico City, where she was also the U.S. Consul General.
We would also like to bring to your attention the U. S. Government and Spanish Government’s information on a public health issue widely reported in the press, the Avian Flu. At the end of this message we repeat the State Department’s Avian Flu Fact Sheet which was updated just this week.
The Spanish Government is also concerned about the potential public health impact of the avian flu and has recently prepared a report, in Spanish, on the “gripe aviar.” That report is available with frequently asked questions at the website maintained by the Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo: http://www.msc.es/enfermedadesLesiones/enfTrasmisi/gripe/pdf/gripeAviar.pdf. The Ministry also published its National Influenza Preparedness and Reponse Plan, available in English at: http://www.msc.es/enfermedadesLesiones/enfTrasmisi/PlanPandemiaGripre/pdf/PlanGripeIngles.pdf.
As reported in the press, the Spanish plan includes:
- Daily monitoring and coordination with international organizations, included the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
- The prohibition of bird products from affected countries,
- Strengthening border controls on animals in general,
- Acquisition of two million doses of anti-viral drugs to treat those most at risk, and
- Strengthening the general vaccination effort for all at risk groups.
We understand that Oseltamavir (brand name Tamiflu), the anti-viral drug, if available in Spain, does require a prescription. However, the manufacturer is not currently marketing this drug in Spain.
Avian Flu Fact Sheet
October 19, 2005
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" in their domestic and wild bird populations. The H5N1 strain of influenza causes severe disease in domesticated fowl. In addition, there are confirmed cases of bird-to-human transmissions of avian influenza in the South East Asia region, many of which have resulted in death. Please visit The WHO website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease_influenza/country/en/ for the most up to date information on the countries affected and the number of deaths.
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.
Concerns about the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic have prompted international and national effort to institute pandemic preparedness measures. In keeping with the CDC and the WHO guidance, the Department of State is working with its embassies and consulates worldwide to prepare in the event of a pandemic. American citizens traveling to or living in countries where avian influenza is prevalent should consider the potential risks and keep informed of the latest medical guidance and information in order to make appropriate plans.
The Department, the CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel alerts or warnings for avian flu-infected areas. However, the 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 or fluids from poultry or other animals. In addition, the Department 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. Specific CDC travel information relating to avian influenza, including preventive measures is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.
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 worldwide, for eligible U.S. 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. There is no provision for the U.S. Government to provide American citizens traveling or living abroad with medications, including in the event of a pandemic.
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 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
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Contact information:
Telephone: 45 39 171 717
Facsimlie: 45 39 171 818
e-mail: postmaster@euro.who.int
Address: 8, Scherfigsvej
DK-2100 Copenhagen 0
Denmark
Following are the contact numbers of our Embassy in Spain, as well as the Consulate General in Barcelona and the different consular agencies. All these contact numbers and their addresses are available on the Internet at http://www.embusa.es/. We repeat, however, for information concerning the Avian Flu, please refer to the Spanish Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the WHO.
Consular Section Madrid. American Citizen Services: 91-587-2240
Embassy and emergencies after hours: 91-587-2200
American Consulate General Barcelona: 93-280-2227.
Consular Agency La Coruña: 981-213-233
Consular Agency Las Palmas: 928-271-259
Consular Agency Málaga: 952-474-891
Consular Agency Palma de Mallorca: 971-403-707
Consular Agency Seville: 954-231-885
Consular Agency Valencia: 963-516-973
October 2005