Embassy of the United States

2009 Warden Message, Number 2 (Issued May 6, 2009)

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu.  There have been no confirmed cases of the H1N1 strain of Influenza A in Zimbabwe to date.  However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of May 4, 21 countries have reported 1085 cases of Influenza A infection.  Mexico has reported 590 confirmed cases, including 25 deaths, and the United States has reported 286 confirmed cases, with 1 death. 

The following countries have reported confirmed 2009-H1N1 Influenza cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (101), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Colombia (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (2), France (4), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (4), Italy (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (6), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (54), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (18). 

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza.  Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://harare.usembassy.gov/medical_information.html.

For further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4493.html, 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 WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.  For additional travel safety information, please consult the State Department's website at http://www.travel.state.gov.

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.

Americans living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security.  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 to contact them in case of emergency. 

U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Harare for further information.  The Embassy is located on 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare.  Telephone 263-4-250-593/4/5, e-mail consularharare@state.gov.  The Embassy's Internet web address is http://harare.usembassy.gov