September 17, 2009. Government Warning Issued for United Arab Emirates
| SOURCE: | U.S. Department of State |
U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi issued the following Warden Message on September 17:
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. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has reported six deaths in the UAE from H1N1-related complications. The Embassy is aware of temporary closings of individual classes in some schools and nurseries. For further guidance, we encourage you to contact your child's school directly. In addition, a vigorous awareness campaign coordinated by the Ministry of Health (http://www.moh.gov.ae/en) and Ministry of Education (http://www.moe.gov.ae/English/Pages/Default.aspx) has been launched.
Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. Although the U.S. Embassy or Consulate cannot provide either medical advice or medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi's website at http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/hospital_and_clinic_list.html and on the U.S. Consulate in Dubai's website at http://dubai.usconsulate.gov/dubai/citizen_services/medical_info.html.
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 the UAE 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 the UAE. 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.
Copyright © 2009, U.S. Department of State