Warden Message: Brazil H1N1-2009 Influenza Information

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Consulate Rio de Janeiro issued the following Warden Message on August 10:

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 Brazilian Ministry of Health has reported, as of August 4, 2009, 2,959 confirmed cases of H1N1 and 96 associated deaths. 

State of Rio de Janeiro authorities have postponed the beginning of the semester for all public schools from August 3 to August 17, as have various private schools.

American citizens should be aware that the U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities. 

Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Consulate General cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at www.embaixada-americana.org.br under “U.S. Citizen Services.”

Please note that the Consulate General is NOT advising Americans in Brazil to depart.  At this time, the Consulate General advises that Americans review the guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and make their own decisions about whether to remain in Brazil. 

Due to elevated rates of H1N1 flu infection, the State Department issued a Travel Alert on July 14, 2009 for U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Argentina.  For more information about travel to Argentina, please see the State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html.  The Travel Alert can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4540.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.

For information on Brazilian authorities’ procedures related to 2009 H1N1 flu, please consult the Ministry of Health at http://portal.saude.gov.br/portal/saude/profissional/area.cfm?id_area=1534 or contact the Ministry Hotline at 0800-611997.

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.

People with flu-like symptoms who have appointments for American Citizens Services and visa interviews are encouraged to re-schedule for a date after they are symptom-free. 

Americans living or traveling in Brazil 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 Brazil.  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.  The U.S. Consulate General in Rio is located at Avenida Presidente Wilson, 147 and can be reached at phone number 21-3823-2000, “emergency after-hours” phone number  21-3823-2029, American Citizen Services fax number 21-3823-2093, e-mail acsrio@state.gov, and website www.embaixadaamericana.org.br.

Note: Please do not reply to this message.  You can send any questions or concerns to acsrio@state.gov.