Avian Influenza Virus Found in Ukraine - U.S. Embassy Kyiv Warden Message - January 23, 2008

On January 18, 2008, the Government of Ukraine announced that an outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected at a poultry farm in the Krasnogvardiysky Rayon in Crimea. Thus far no human cases of avian influenza have been detected anywhere in Ukraine.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises travelers to countries 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. The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Ukraine that information about avian influenza ("avian flu," "bird flu," "chicken flu"), including suggested precautions, is available in the U.S. Department of State’s "Avian Flu Fact Sheet" at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html. This web site includes links to avian influenza information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please visit www.pandemicflu.gov for all the official U.S. Government information regarding avian/pandemic influenza.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov/, where the current Worldwide Cautions, 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 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

In the event further information is obtained regarding this or any other security or safety situation in Ukraine, the Embassy will provide updates via this same channel and on the Embassy’s web site. American citizens who need to contact the Embassy may do so during working hours by calling the main Embassy telephone number at (38-044) 490-4000. The Embassy’s duty officer may be reached after hours via this same number, or by contacting (38-050) 311-1796.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at #6 Mykola Pymonenko St., 01901 Kyiv, Ukraine. Telephone: (38-044) 490-4422; fax 236-4892. The Embassy is located at #10 Yuriy Kotsyubynsky St. 01901, Kyiv, Ukraine.