WARDEN MESSAGE

Update on H1N1 Flu Outbreak – June 2, 2009

This Warden Message is to inform all American Citizens living in and traveling to Nicaragua that the Ministry of Health (MINSA) has confirmed one case of H1N1 flu in Managua.  The individual is a five year old child who according to the authorities probably contracted the disease from her father who had recently been travelling through Guatemala and El Salvador.  MINSA officials state the child is stable and receiving appropriate treatment.

The government of Nicaragua reports that it will continue to monitor all land, sea and air borders to identify any arriving travelers showing flu-like symptoms, as well as the areas surrounding the home of the child.  MINSA has alerted all health units to immediately report all possible cases of swine influenza to their Epidemiological Crisis Center, Tel 011-505-2289-4312.  If feeling any flu-like symptoms, foreigners living in or visiting Nicaragua need to contact the nearest MINSA clinic for home evaluation and treatment. While the Embassy will not send out a warden message for every case of confirmed H1N1, we recommend that you monitor the situation through the various newspapers and television and radio news.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Embassy’s website http://nicaragua.usembassy.gov and the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

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The U.S. Embassy in Managua is located at Km 5 ½ C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua.  The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2-252-7100.  For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer.  The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov

General information regarding consular services is available by calling 011-505-2-252-7888.  Non-emergency services for U.S. citizens are available Monday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, except on Nicaraguan and U.S. holidays.