Update on H1N1 Influenza in Oman

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding Oman’s response to H1N1 Influenza A, formerly known as swine flu. 

According to an Omani Ministry of Health (MOH) official, there are no incidences or suspected incidences of H1N1 influenza in Oman. 

According to the MOH official, the MOH has a surveillance program in place for influenza and influenza-like illnesses (ILI).  The Public Health Laboratories in Muscat and the regions of South Batinah and Dhofar are collecting data on influenza and ILI on a monthly basis, while severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) surveillance is in place at government hospitals in Muscat, Dhofar, South Batinah and South Sharqiya.

The MOH reports that it has a stockpile of Tamiflu, a medicine commonly administered to influenza patients.  Oman expects to receive an H1N1 diagnostic test from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) soon.

The Ministry said that there are no mandatory clinic reporting requirements for travelers to Oman at this time.   Screening is scheduled to commence soon at airports in Muscat and Salalah and will consist of passengers filling out questionnaires regarding their points of entry and the countries they have visited en route to Oman.   Plans are for doctor and nurse teams to be available on-site to monitor and examine passengers, as necessary.  Oman also hopes to install thermal scanning equipment at the airports soon. 

Health care facilities and providers throughout Oman are required to report suspected cases of H1N1 to the Director General of Health Services.  Designated quarantine centers will be utilized, if necessary.  The MOH says that Muscat’s Al Nahda Hospital and hospitals in other regions of Oman will all have designated ward space in the event of an outbreak of H1N1 in Oman.

For further information about H1N1 influenza, including steps you can take to stay healthy, please consult the Department of State information at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_pandemic.html, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html or WHO’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean website at http://www.emro.who.int/index.asp

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Americans living or traveling in Oman are strongly encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. Registration with Embassies/Consulates is available at www.travel.state.gov under "International Travel for U.S. Citizens." Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. The Embassy's phone number is (968) 2464-3400. This new phone number is also for after-hours emergencies.  American citizens wishing to contact the Consular Section may do so via email at ConsularMuscat@state.gov or fax at (968) 2464-3535.

If you wish to speak directly to a consular staff member, please call the embassy phone number between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and follow the prompts. On a walk-in basis, American Citizen Services are available from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street in the diplomatic area of Shatti al Qurum in the capital city of Muscat. American Citizen Service hours are: Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.  The Embassy is closed on Omani and American holidays.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs' web site at http://travel.state.gov <http://travel.state.gov/> , where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html> , as well as the Worldwide Caution <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html> , can be found.  

In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on 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).