Warden Message

U.S. Embassy, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Warden Message
April 4, 2006

The U.S. Embassy is issuing this Warden Message to alert you to the occurrence of avian influenza among birds in Burkina Faso. The Embassy will host a “town hall” meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at 7:00 PM to answer questions you may have about avian influenza. The meeting will take place in the courtyard of the American Cultural Center, located across the street from the consular section of the Embassy, at 674 Rue John F. Kennedy in Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso authorities have confirmed the first case of avian influenza in the country at a small poultry farm in Gampela, approximately 15 km from Ouagadougou on the road to Fada N’Gourma. Initial reports suggest that several hundred birds were infected. The case was confirmed yesterday evening by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome from samples collected in early March. Birds infected with avian influenza have thus been present in Burkina Faso for at least one month.

It is important to note, however, that there have been no known human cases of avian influenza in Burkina Faso, and no known cases of efficient human-to-human transmission anywhere in the world.

The exact extent of the epidemic within Burkina Faso is not yet known. Avian influenza is highly contagious among birds and could spread rapidly. We continue to urge American citizens to avoid poultry farms and markets; avoid contact with visibly sick or dead birds and any raw poultry; and ensure poultry products are thoroughly cooked prior to consumption.

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. Americans interested in further information on obtaining Tamiflu from private pharmacies in Burkina Faso may contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, at 50-30-67-23.

For further information on avian influenza, the U.S. Embassy suggests that you consult the U.S. Department of State's avian influenza Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.htm,

and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. World Health Organization (WHO) guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/.

Americans living or traveling in Burkina Faso are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Burkina Faso. 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 in Ouagadougou is located at Avenue Raoul Follereau, 01 BP 36; telephone (226) 5030-6723; after hours telephone 5031-2707; fax 5031-5273; email consularouaga@state.gov.