H1N1 Influenza Outbreak

For detailed information about the H1N1 Influenza A Outbreak, please consult the Influenza A, the United States Centers for Disease Control website, and the World Health Organization website.

2009-H1N1 influenza (sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or “swine flu”) is a new virus causing illness in humans. It was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009, and the symptoms resemble those of seasonal flu. The virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza spreads. You cannot catch 2009-H1N1 by eating properly cooked pork products.

The WHO has declared a “phase six” pandemic in response to the rapid spread of the 2009-H1N1 virus, indicating community level outbreaks in two or more different regions of the world. However, most individuals infected with 2009-H1N1 influenza fully recover, and the WHO considers the overall severity of the pandemic to be only moderate.

Please note that, due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources, the U.S. Department of State is not in a position to provide private American citizens traveling or living abroad with supplies, medications or medical treatment in the event of a pandemic. Therefore, private American citizens should carefully weigh the risks of remaining in country versus the risks of traveling, keeping in mind the potential benefits of returning to the United States. Returning to the United States could provide Americans with greater access to antiviral medications, respirators, face masks and pandemic vaccine. However, traveling could also increase one’s potential for exposure to the virus and even result in being stranded in a third country if flights are diverted or cancelled.

U.S. Government assistance to private American citizens who remain abroad will be limited, but should include communicating with family and friends on an individual’s behalf, monitoring quarantine/detention conditions as permitted by local health authorities, arranging for transfers of funds or granting temporary subsistence loans, and providing information regarding the availability of medical care (to be paid for by the individual). Private American citizens should be aware that the U.S. Government cannot demand their immediate release if they have been detained or quarantined abroad in accordance with public health and legal authorities.

You may also wish to visit the Romanian Ministry of Health website for more information about the actions the Government of Romania is taking in response to the H1N1 Influenza A situation.

The Ministry has reported that antiviral medication will not be available at pharmacies but will only be supplied to medical personnel for organized vaccinations. The first 1,300,000 doses will be used by the Ministry of Health for the vaccination of hospital staffs, high-school students and students from the Iasi and Bucharest Universities (where the largest number of cases were confirmed), Border Police officers and locals at the border with Ukraine.

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