Warden Message: H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)
May 12, 2009

The following message is being issued jointly by the U.S. Embassy Abuja and U.S. Consulate General Lagos for American citizens in Nigeria.

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of H1N1 Influenza A, formerly known as swine flu. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health has stated that as of May 4, 2009 there are NO/NO confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza or swine flu in Nigeria.  As a precaution to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza, the Government of Nigeria (GON) has issued an alert and assured Nigerians through the press that measures are in place to tackle a possible epidemic.  The Ministry of Health and the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Control Center have issued H1N1 influenza flu alerts to federal, state and local health authorities to heighten surveillance and monitoring of flu-like and respiratory diseases, particularly among normally healthy young adults. 

The Minister of Health issued a statement to the press on April 27 saying that surveillance has been strengthened at all ports of entry into Nigeria.  He also urged all clinicians and health workers to report any suspected cases of H1N1 flu to his ministry.

For further information about H1N1 flu, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu, and the World Health Organization 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 in Nigeria 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 Nigeria.  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. 

U.S. Embassy Abuja is located at Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja; the local number is 09-461-4000.  If you are calling from the United States, please dial 011 (234) (9) 461-4000. E-Mail: ConsularAbuja@state.gov.   The U.S. Consulate General Lagos is located at 2 Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos; the local number is 01-460-3400.  E-Mail: lagosACS@state.gov.  The U.S. Mission Nigeria Internet Website:  http://nigeria.usembassy.gov