Warden Messages
Avian Influenza
February 10, 2006
Attention all American citizens:
The U.S. Embassy Accra has received confirmation of avian influenza infections of poultry in Nigeria, and the Nigerian government has reported widespread poultry deaths in the north of that country. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization confirmed that the H5N1 avian influenza virus caused the poultry deaths that occurred there since January. Local authorities have disinfected the areas where the poultry was located and have introduced quarantine measures and controls to limit the movement of animals. The Nigerian government has stated that there is no evidence of any human cases of the disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working with the Nigerian government to further investigate the outbreak.
For information on avian influenza and pandemic flu preparedness, see http://www.cdc.gov/, http://www.who.int/ and http://www.pandemicflu.gov/. For additional information on avian influenza as it affects American citizens residing abroad, see the U.S. Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html.
There are no known outbreaks of avian influenza in Ghana, and there is no evidence to date of human cases of avian influenza in Nigeria. The Embassy advises American citizens in Ghana to store up to three week’s supply of water, non-perishable food, and medicines, and to consult with their physicians and health care providers about receiving flu vaccinations. In addition, the U.S. Ambassador has ordered all Embassy employees to remove certain types of fowl from their residences and as a precaution private American citizens may wish to follow suit. The types of fowl susceptible to avian influenza include all forms of ducks, chicken, hens, guinea fowl, Cornish hens, turkeys, etc.
For information on travel in Ghana, see the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet on the Department's web site. Up-to-date information on safety and security is available by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers in other countries, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. citizens in Accra are strongly encouraged to register with the Department of State. Those without Internet access may register in person at the U.S. Embassy in Accra and obtain information there on travel and security in Ghana.
The Consular Section is located at 6 th and 10 th Lanes in Osu, Accra. The direct American Citizen Services telephone is [233] (21) 701-1811; the after-hours emergencies telephone is 011 [233] (21) 775-297; email is acsaccra@state.gov.