Embassy of the United States

Warden Message May 4, 2009

MEMORANDUM

To:                   All American Wardens

From:               Consular Section

Subject:           Warden Notice 2009 – 8

Please circulate the following message without additions or omissions immediately to all American citizens within your area of responsibility.

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This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu.  The Kuwait Ministry of Health, Ports and Frontiers Division, is distributing three-part health surveillance cards to travelers arriving from countries that have reported cases of the H1N1 influenza. Within 72 hours of arrival, travelers are required to report to a designated Ministry of Health clinic to receive a check-up.  Currently, some Ministry of Health clinics are requiring travelers to return for a second check-up within seven days of arrival. 

Failure to meet these requirements could result in a fine or imprisonment.  The clinics are listed in Arabic on the back of the health surveillance card.  With this card, most taxi drivers or hotel staff should be able to direct travelers to the nearest center.  The ministry also has a website at http://www.moh.gov.kw/ that lists, in Arabic, the centers’ locations and contact information. One part of the health surveillance card will be kept by the traveler.  Currently Kuwaiti authorities are not requiring travelers to turn in their copy of the card.  Travelers transiting Kuwait or planning to be in Kuwait less than 72 hours should ask airport authorities for guidance upon arrival. 

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza.  Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, a list of hospitals can be found on our website at http://kuwait.usembassy.gov  

For further information about 2009-H1N1 Influenza, 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 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government pandemic influenza website at http://www.pandemicflu.gov, 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 Kuwait 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 Kuwait.  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.  The U.S. Embassy is located on Masjed Al-Aqsa St, Bayan Area, telephone: 2259-1581, 2259-1583 or 2259-1248, Fax: 2259-1438, Email: KuwaitACS@state.gov  

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American citizens with any questions or concerns may telephone the Embassy at 2259-1581, 2259-1583 or 2259-1248.  In case of an emergency outside business hours, American citizens may reach the Embassy duty officer by calling 2259-1001.

For the latest security information, Americans should regularly monitor the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States 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.)

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov 

American citizens in Kuwait who would like to receive future Warden Messages from the Embassy directly by e-mail may sign up for this service by sending an e-mail to the following address: join-wardenmessagekuwait@mh.databack.com  

American citizens resident and visiting in Kuwait who are not registered with the Embassy, or whose registration information has changed, are urged to register as soon as possible.  They may now do so on-line at the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for American and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for the year 2009 may be viewed via the link below:  http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html