Press Releases

AVIAN INFLUENZA ALERT FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS IN EASTERN INDIA

January 23, 2008

Kolkata -- The United States Mission is monitoring carefully the outbreak of H5N1 Avian Influenza in Eastern India.  The Government of India has confirmed that the outbreak is spreading to other districts of the state of West Bengal, and unconfirmed reports have been received from districts near Kolkata.  U.S. citizens should monitor local media for developments and the latest information on affected areas so that they can avoid travel to the areas with concentrations of the disease.  It is also very important that U.S. citizens follow the advice of local government health officials who are responding to the outbreak.

All U.S. citizens are encouraged to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands, scrupulously cleaning food preparation areas, and fully cooking food.  In addition, U.S. citizens are advised to avoid close contact with any fowl, such as chickens and ducks, to stay clear of any sick birds, and to not visit “wet” markets where poultry are slaughtered.   

While it is possible that humans will eventually contract this deadly disease, U.S. citizens in India are reminded that Avian Influenza is primarily a disease of birds.  People who have contracted Avian Influenza have generally had close and prolonged contact with infected birds (usually chickens or ducks), their feces, or their blood.  Human-to-human transmission has been exceptional, and has been the result of sustained, close contact with the infected individual.

All U.S. citizens should consider their medium-term plans in the unlikely event that Avian Influenza ever becomes a virulent human disease, or pandemic flu.  Pandemic planning information is available at www.pandemicflu.gov.

For further information on avian influenza, the U.S. Consulate suggests that you consult the U.S. Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.htm, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. World Health Organization (WHO) guidance related to Avian Influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Americans living or traveling in India are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within India. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy or the nearest Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Consulate in Kolkata is located at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata, India 700071 and can be reached by telephone at +91-33-3984-2400, by fax at +91-33-2282-2335 or via e-mail at consularkolkata@state.gov.  The Consulate’s Internet home page is located at http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.  For the latest security information, Americans living traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Announcements, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found.  Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (except U.S. Federal holidays).