sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Warden Message: Rangoon Bird Flu Outbreak
Warden Message
East Asia / Pacific - Burma
21 Mar 2007
U.S. Embassy Rangoon issued the following Warden Message on March 21:
This Warden Message is to inform American citizens that the Burmese Government has reported an additional avian influenza outbreak among birds in Rangoon District following the outbreaks reported in the Embassy's March 16 Warden Message. No human infections have been reported. The most recent outbreak occurred March 17-18 when over 1500 dead chickens were found at eight poultry farms in a livestock zone in Nyaung Hnit Pin Township in north Rangoon. Testing by Burma's Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department has confirmed that the birds died of avian influenza. Similar to the previous outbreaks, Burmese officials destroyed the remaining poultry and disinfected the premises at all locations. The Embassy continues to work closely with Burmese authorities and locally-based international health organizations to monitor events and will share information with the American Community as it becomes available.
We remind all American citizens of previous recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You should avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds, and avoid visiting commercial or backyard poultry farms and live poultry markets. You can also minimize risk by practicing safe handling procedures for all poultry products, including thoroughly cooking food and decontaminating cutting boards and kitchen utensils. Well-cooked eggs and poultry products are safe to consume (temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius kill the virus). You should also be cautious about consuming salad dressings and sauces that contain raw egg products.
Current information about avian influenza A (H5N1) and pandemic influenza can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
http://www.who.int
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
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's internet website where the current Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and Consular Information Sheets can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S.and Canada or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, 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.
The Embassy encourages Americans in Burma, including short-term visitors, to register with the U. S Embassy in Burma through the State Department?s travel registration website and obtain updated information on travel and security within Burma. Registration may be done on-line at http://rangoon.usembassy.gov.
Warden Message
East Asia / Pacific - Burma
21 Mar 2007
U.S. Embassy Rangoon issued the following Warden Message on March 21:
This Warden Message is to inform American citizens that the Burmese Government has reported an additional avian influenza outbreak among birds in Rangoon District following the outbreaks reported in the Embassy's March 16 Warden Message. No human infections have been reported. The most recent outbreak occurred March 17-18 when over 1500 dead chickens were found at eight poultry farms in a livestock zone in Nyaung Hnit Pin Township in north Rangoon. Testing by Burma's Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department has confirmed that the birds died of avian influenza. Similar to the previous outbreaks, Burmese officials destroyed the remaining poultry and disinfected the premises at all locations. The Embassy continues to work closely with Burmese authorities and locally-based international health organizations to monitor events and will share information with the American Community as it becomes available.
We remind all American citizens of previous recommendations issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You should avoid contact with live poultry and wild birds, and avoid visiting commercial or backyard poultry farms and live poultry markets. You can also minimize risk by practicing safe handling procedures for all poultry products, including thoroughly cooking food and decontaminating cutting boards and kitchen utensils. Well-cooked eggs and poultry products are safe to consume (temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius kill the virus). You should also be cautious about consuming salad dressings and sauces that contain raw egg products.
Current information about avian influenza A (H5N1) and pandemic influenza can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
http://www.who.int
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
Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's internet website where the current Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement and Consular Information Sheets can be found. Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S.and Canada or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, 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.
The Embassy encourages Americans in Burma, including short-term visitors, to register with the U. S Embassy in Burma through the State Department?s travel registration website and obtain updated information on travel and security within Burma. Registration may be done on-line at http://rangoon.usembassy.gov.