Warden Message
H1N1 Influenza Update
June 2, 2009
U.S. citizens in the Russian Federation should be aware that Russia has recorded its first confirmed cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza. The infected persons were travelers from North America; there have been no reports of H1N1 transmission within Russia. Russian authorities have implemented enhanced screening procedures for arriving airline passengers from North America, including the use of remote devices to take the temperatures of travelers prior to disembarkation. Anyone displaying flu-like symptoms may be subject to further examination and quarantine. In all instances of H1N1 influenza in Russia thus far, the patients have made full recoveries.
The U.S. 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://moscow.usembassy.gov/medical.html.
For further information about 2009-H1N1 influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.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 the Russian Federation 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 Russia.
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 21 Novinsky Bulvar (Garden Ring Road), Metro Barrikadnaya, tel.
(495) 728-5577, or (495) 728-5000 after-hours. Our e-mail address is moscowwarden@state.gov.