Warden Message: Tunisia H1N1 Concerns

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Embassy Tunis released the following Warden Message on October 20:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu.  The Tunisian Ministry of Health has reported some 80 known cases in the country, with most reported to have been carried into the country by travelers rather than contracted from within Tunisia. 

Tunisian authorities have taken aggressive measures to contain H1N1: the government has implemented airport screening, procured antivirals and vaccines, put in place an extensive monitoring and surveillance program, and raised public awareness.  On October 5, 2009, the Minister of Religious Affairs issued a statement officially discouraging Tunisians from participating in the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, based on H1N1 concerns.

If you are quarantined or placed in isolation due to 2009-H1N1 influenza, please contact the Embassy at the number below and let us know, so we can monitor your situation.  However, please be aware that the Embassy cannot demand your immediate release if you have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.

Due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources, the Embassy is not in a position to provide private citizens with pandemic-related supplies, medications or medical treatment, including vaccines, and cannot provide specific medical advice.  Questions and concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  A list of local hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://tunisia.usembassy.gov/frequentlyrequestedinformation/medical-list.html.

For more information on how to prepare for a severe pandemic, please see the State Department "Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet" and "Options During a Pandemic" flyer located on www.travel.state.gov.  Detailed information about 2009-H1N1 influenza can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government's federal influenza website at http://www.flu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Tunisia are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, to obtain updated travel and security information.  U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the Embassy.  Registration is important; it allows the Embassy and the State Department to assist you in an emergency.

The Embassy is located in the Les Berges du Lac suburb of Tunis.  The Embassy telephone number is +216 71 107 000 and the Embassy fax number is +216 71 963 263.  The Consular section can also be contacted by email at ConsularTunis@state.gov.