June 3, 2009. Government Warning Issued for China
| SOURCE: | Air Security International |
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued the following Warden Message on 2 June 2009: "This warden message provides U.S. citizens with the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, and it updates the warden message dated May 5, 2009."
"Many travelers enter China's borders each day without difficulty. With the summer tourist and student season approaching, however, the Chinese government has recommended that travelers from countries with cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including the United States, quarantine themselves upon arrival for seven days."
"Some local authorities are being exceedingly cautious and are imposing mandatory quarantine periods on all American travelers hosted by their institutions. As implementation of these local policies is decided by Chinese officials and host organizations and may vary by location, you should check frequently with your tour group, host institution or hotel before traveling to China on what procedures will be in effect for you or your group. You should be aware that foreign travelers, including U.S. citizens, to China are obliged to follow local procedures regarding quarantines and any public health-related measures."
"As has also been done in at least 26 other countries/territories (including the USA, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea), China has instituted the following procedures for border authorities to screen for the possibility of influenza among passengers on arriving international flights. The procedures followed thus far are:"
"1) Flights arriving from affected countries will be segregated at specific gates and passengers will move through specific channels for Health and Quarantine (HQ) clearance."
"2) Prior to disembarking from the aircraft, either local health officials or airline staff will take temperature readings of each passenger. Temperature scanning equipment currently being used does not touch or make contact with the traveler."
"3) Passengers will also be required to complete and submit a health declaration card, which will be provided by the air carrier. The cards will be collected either on board the aircraft or as part of entry procedures in the arrival terminal."
"4) Passengers may face additional thermal-scanning procedures in the arrival terminal."
"5) If there are one or more suspected cases of H1N1 on an arriving flight, the air carrier will be required to report the case to Chinese HQ prior to the arrival of the flight. Passengers and crew on the flight will be quarantined in a designated area (e.g., in Beijing, Terminal 3: Concourse D) until HQ determines what steps to take, which may include simply completing a "Quarantine Card," undergoing a routine medical exam at the airport, or, in some circumstances, transportation to local hospitals and/or hotels designated for quarantine."
"6) HQ will implement different procedures for specific passengers with 2009-H1N1 influenza symptoms, which may include observation in a hospital designated to handle H1N1 cases, or quarantine (e.g., in Beijing: Guomen Hotel). As of June 1, 2009, the official quarantine period was announced to be up to seven days. As of June 1, 2009 the principal hospitals designated as H1N1 treatment centers were:
Beijing: Ditan Hospital, You'An Hospital, and Peking Union Hospital.
Shanghai: Shanghai Public Health Center, Jinshan District and Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Minghan District
Guangzhou: Guangzhou No. 8 Hospital
Chengdu: Huaxi Hospital, People's No. 6 Hospital, and Chengdu No. 4 Hospital.
Shenyang: Shenyang Infectious Disease Hospital.
"7) Should you encounter any of the quarantine procedures described above, please e-mail AmcitBeijing@state.gov with your name, passport number, quarantine location and contact details, or call the American Citizen Services office at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm at 86-10-8531-4000."
"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, listings of hospitals and doctors for the five consular districts can be found at the following websites:"
"Beijing: http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/acs_health.html"
"Shanghai: http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_facilities.html"
"Guangzhou: http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_providers_in_south_china.htm"
"Chengdu: http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/health/_local_doctors.html"
"Shenyang: http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical2.html"
Copyright © 2009, Air Security International, Inc.