Warden Message: Slovenia H1N1 Update, Expats Infected

Consular Affairs Bulletins Report

U.S. Embassy Ljubljana released the following Warden Message November 19, 2009:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu.  In recent days, there have been two confirmed cases of H1N1 infection in our American community – one within the embassy and one at a local school.  To this point in Slovenia, there has been one fatality linked to infection with H1N1, and the virus continues to infect more people each day.

The Government of Slovenia has created a website in Slovenian and in English about its plans to prevent against H1N1 influenza.  This site contains information about preventing the H1N1 influenza, as well as locations where people can receive the vaccine.

Due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources, the Embassy is not in a position to provide private citizens with pandemic-related supplies, medications or medical treatment, including vaccines, and cannot provide specific medical advice.  Questions and concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Please see the U.S. Embassy’s list of local hospitals and doctors. 

For more information on how to prepare for a severe pandemic, please see the State Department "Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet" and "Options During a Pandemic" flyer located on www.travel.state.gov.  Detailed information about 2009-H1N1 influenza can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, the U.S. Government's federal influenza website, and the World Health Organization website.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, 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).

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Slovenia are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website to obtain updated travel and security information.  U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy.  Registration is important; it allows the Embassy and the State Department to assist you in an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana is located at Prešernova 31, tel. (386) 1 200 5500.  The after-hours emergency telephone number is (386) 040 491 491.