Warden Message: Mongolia Issues H1N1 Update

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar issued the following Warden Message on November 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 Government of Mongolia recently announced that the state of ‘Increased Preparedness’, originally instituted on Nov 3, will be extended in modified form for an additional two weeks.  The following is summary of the new restrictions:

·         Schools will reopen for grades 6^th and up as of next Monday, November 23.  Lowers grades of schools and kindergartens will remain closed.

·         Auto and train travel between Ulaanbaatar and the provinces may start operating again after appropriate sanitation and disinfection measures are taken.  However, the government will continue to screen travelers for flu-like symptoms. 

·         Merchandise markets may reopen if they meet certain sanitary and disinfection standards.

·         Restaurants, bars, and public gathering places must still close at 9 pm. 

·         Public gatherings, conferences, seminars, cultural and sporting events continue to be restricted.

The Mongolian Ministry of Health reported that, as of November 19, 2009, there have been 1106 laboratory-confirmed cases.   They reported 782 confirmed cases in Ulaanbaatar and 324 cases in 19 aimags, namely Uvurkhangai (48), Selenge (29), Dornogovi (26), Orkhon (26), Govisumber (25), Khovd (24), Darkhan-Uul (23), Tuv (19), Zavkhan (17), Uvs (16), Dornod (16), Arkhangai (13), Khentii (11), Sukhbaatar (9), Bulgan (8), Bayan-Ulgii (5), Umnugovi (5),  Bayankhongor (3), Khuvsgul (1)

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://Mongolia.USEmbassy.gov/.

 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 http://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 abroad are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy or closest U.S. Consulate by entering your travel itinerary and contact information at:  https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs.  In case of difficulties registering online, please contact the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

The U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar is located in the 11th Micro-district, just off of Ikh Toiruu (Big Ring Road) next to the Laotian Embassy.  The Consular Section can be reached by telephone at 976-11-329-095; by fax at 976-11-320-776; or by email at UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov . The Embassy after hours emergency telephone number is 976-9911-4168.