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Monday, August 20, 2012

U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Emergency Message to U.S.Citizens Suspected Cases of Ebola Virus in Orientale Province

August 17, 2012

The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa informs U.S. citizens that the provincial medical inspector of Orientale Province has announced that there are suspected cases of the Ebola Virus in the towns of Isiro and Dungu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has laboratory confirmation of two cases. The Ebola Virus is one of the hemorrhagic fever illnesses. The virus is transmitted through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, and handling or washing of infected corpses or through contact with objects that have been in contact with infected secretions. Avoid consumption of meat derived from primates. If you have any concerns, you should contact your healthcare provider.
For further information, please visit the following CDC websites and monitor www.cdc.gov for updates:
  • Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Resources
  • Guidance for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
  • Ebola Questions and Answers
You can stay in touch and get Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Kinshasa web site. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well or you can download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App for travel information at your fingertips. If you don't have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, 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).
If you are going to live in or travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa is located at 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, tel. +243-081-225-5872 (Do not dial the zero when calling from abroad). The Consular Section of the Embassy may be reached at tel. +243-081-884-6859 or +243-081-884-4609 and is open Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For after-hours emergencies, U.S. citizens should call 081-556-0151 and ask to speak with the duty officer.

 http://kinshasa.usembassy.gov/wm081712.html