U.S. Embassy Warden
Announcement

October 26, 2005

U.S. Embassy Jakarta
U.S. Consulate General Surabaya
Warden Message 
October 26, 2005

Please find below the most recent Department of State Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza as well as information below on handling chicken in food preparation, both in English and Indonesian.

This Fact Sheet alerts Americans to the most recent occurrences of Influenza A H5N1 (avian influenza strain) in Asia. A number of countries are reporting cases of avian influenza, commonly referred to as "bird flu" in their domestic and wild bird populations. The H5N1 strain of influenza causes severe disease in domesticated fowl. In addition, there are confirmed cases of bird-to-human transmissions of avian influenza in the South East Asia region, many of which have resulted in death. Please visit the WHO website, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/country/en/ for the most up to date information on the countries affected and the number of deaths.

The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact with poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest possible human-to-human transmission. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Department are concerned about the potential for human-to-human transmission of this highly dangerous flu strain, and are working closely with other partners in an effort to monitor the outbreak.

Concerns about the possibility of an avian influenza pandemic have prompted international and national efforts to institute pandemic preparedness measures. In keeping with the CDC and the WHO guidance, the Department of State is working with its embassies and consulates worldwide to prepare in the event of a pandemic. American citizens traveling to or living in countries where avian influenza is prevalent should consider the potential risks and keep informed of the latest medical guidance and information in order to make appropriate plans.

The Department, the CDC and the WHO have not issued any travel alerts or warnings for avian flu-infected areas. However, the CDC advises travelers to countries in Asia with documented H5N1 outbreaks to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets, and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces or fluids from poultry or other animals. In addition, the Department has asked its embassies and consulates to consider preparedness measures that take into consideration the fact that travel into or out of a country may not be possible, safe or medically advisable. Specific CDC travel information relating to avian influenza, including preventive measures is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/

A specific vaccine for humans that is effective against avian influenza has not yet been developed. Based upon limited data, the CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication Oseltamavir (brand name-Tamiflu) may be effective in preventing or treating avian influenza. Using this input, the Department of State has decided to pre-position the drug Tamiflu at its Embassies and Consulates worldwide, for eligible U.S. Government employees and their families serving abroad. Tamiflu may not be readily available overseas and the State Department encourages American citizens traveling or living abroad that are interested in obtaining this medication to consult with their physician. There is no provision for the U.S. government to provide American citizens traveling or living abroad with medications, including in the event of a pandemic.

Americans who are planning travel to a country that has reported the virus or who are concerned about the Avian flu are advised to monitor the CDC and the WHO web sites for the latest information.

Additional country information can be obtained from the Department of State's Consular Information Sheets at http://travel.state.gov and from the Department of State's toll-free number, 1-888-407-4747, or if calling from overseas, 202-501-4444.

The Embassy strongly encourages Americans in Indonesia, including short-term visitors, to register with the Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulate General in Surabaya, or the Consular Agent in Bali. Registration may be done on-line at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov/consular/onlinereg.html

Information on registration procedures, all security-related Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, and recent Embassy warden messages are posted on the Embassy’s website at http://jakarta.usembassy.gov

The Embassy is located at Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, No. 4-5, Jakarta; the 24-hour telephone number is 021-3435-9000. The telephone number of the Consulate General in Surabaya is 031-295-6400; the telephone number of the U.S. Consular Agency in Bali is 0361-233-605.

CDC Contact Information:
Public Inquiries: English (888) 246-2675 Spanish (888) 246-2857 TTY (866) 874-2646
Mon-Fri 8am-11pm EST Sat-Sun 10am-8pm EST

Address:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333 USA (404) 639-3311
WHO Liaison Office in Washington, DC
Contact Information: 
Telephone: (202) 331-9081 
Facsimile: (202) 331-9097

Address:
WHO Liaison Office 1775 K Street, N.W., Suite 430 
Washington, D.C. 20006 
USA

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Food Hygiene

• Separate raw meat from cooked or ready-to-eat foods. Do not use the same chopping board or the same knife for preparing raw meat and cooked or ready-to-eat food.
• Do not handle either raw or cooked foods without washing your hands in between.
• Do not place cooked meat back on the same plate or surface it was on before it was cooked.
• All foods from poultry, including eggs and poultry blood, should be cooked thoroughly. Egg yolks should not be runny or liquid. Because influenza viruses are destroyed by heat, the cooking temperature for poultry meat should reach 70°C (158° F).
• Wash egg shells in soapy water before handling and cooking, and wash your hands afterwards.
• Do not use raw or soft-boiled eggs in foods that will not be cooked.
• After handling raw poultry or eggs, wash your hands and all surfaces and utensils thoroughly with soap and water. 

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Kebersihan Makanan

• Pisahkan daging mentah dari makanan yang telah dimasak atau siap untuk dimakan. 
• Jangan gunakan talenan atau pisau yang sama untuk memotong daging mentah dan makanan yang telah dimasak atau siap untuk dimakan.  
• Jangan mengolah daging mentah maupun makanan yang telah dimasak tanpa mencuci tangan terlebih dahulu. ? 
• Jangan meletakkan daging yang telah dimasak ke wadah atau piring tempat daging tersebut diletakkan waktu sebelum dimasak. 
• Semua makanan dari produk unggas, termasuk telur dan darah unggas, harus dimasak sampai matang. 
• Kuning telur tidak boleh dibiarkan cair. Oleh karena virus influenza akan mati pada suhu yang panas, daging unggas harus dimasak hingga mencapai 70ºC (158ºF).
• Cucilah kulit telur dalam air sabun sebelum diolah dan dimasak, kemudian cucilah tangan sesudahnya. 
• Jangan mencampurkan telur mentah atau setengah-matang ke dalam makanan yang tidak untuk dimasak. 
• Setelah selesai mengolah daging unggas atau telur mentah, cucilah tangan serta seluruh peralatan masak sampai bersih dengan sabun dan air.