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October 23, 2009. Government Warning Issued for Poland

SOURCE:U.S. Department of State

U.S. Embassy Warsaw issued the following Warden Message October 23, 2009:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic of novel influenza A (2009-H1N1) and raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. Since the WHO pandemic declaration, the new 2009-H1N1 virus has continued to spread. Unlike avian influenza (H5N1), the disease caused by this strain of the influenza virus is far less severe, with a mortality rate similar to that of seasonal influenza, and most people who become ill recover without requiring medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of 2009-H1N1 influenza are like other types of influenza, and include fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, body aches, and may include vomiting and diarrhea. According to the CDC, there is no evidence to suggest that 2009-H1N1 influenza is transmitted by eating properly cooked pork products.

Notwithstanding the low mortality rate, the U.S. Government continues to monitor the situation and disseminate information to U.S. citizen communities as the possibility of a severe influenza pandemic resulting from changes in the 2009-H1N1 virus or the emergence of an even newer influenza virus remains.

The Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (Gówny Inspektorat Sanitarny) announced that as of October 20, 2009, 166 cases of H1N1 have been confirmed on Polish territory, although it is likely the number of H1N1 cases in Poland is far higher. As the situation is quickly evolving, please check the following websites regularly for the most up-to-date information: the State Department's website; the CDC's website; the U.S. Government's federal influenza website; the World Health Organization's website; and the Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate website.

Due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources, the Embassy is not in a position to provide private citizens with pandemic-related supplies, medications, or medical treatment, including vaccines, and cannot provide specific medical advice. Questions and concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.

Any U.S. citizen who chooses not to return to the United States via commercial means at the onset of a severe pandemic may have to remain abroad for the duration of the pandemic due to transportation disruptions and border closures. Those who choose to wait out a severe pandemic abroad are therefore urged to maintain adequate provisions for an infection wave or waves that could last from two to twelve weeks. U.S citizens who travel abroad during the current 2009-H1N1 pandemic may face screening measures, isolation, or quarantine as local public health authorities seek to contain the spread of the virus and treat sick travelers.

Copyright © 2009, U.S. Department of State


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