On May 6, 2009, the U.S. Embassy Beijing issued the following Warden Message:

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 Influenza, sometimes referred to as swine flu. 

China has instituted the following procedures for border authorities to screen for the possibility of influenza among passengers on arriving international flights:

1) Flights arriving from affected countries, including the United States, will be segregated at specific gates and passengers will move through specific channels for Health and Quarantine (H&Q) clearance. 

2) Prior to disembarking from the aircraft, passengers will be required to complete and submit a H&Q health declaration card, which will be provided by the air carrier.  H&Q officials will collect the cards on board the aircraft or planeside.  

3) All customers will be required to process through two separate thermal-scanning checkpoints.  Temperature readings are taken by hand wands or from fixed-position infrared monitors that do not make any contact with the traveler.

4) If there are one or more suspected cases of H1N1 on an arriving flight, the air carrier will be required to report the case to Chinese H&Q prior to the arrival of the flight.  Passengers and crew on the flight will be quarantined in a designated area (e.g., in Beijing, Terminal 3: Concourse D) until H&Q determines what steps to take, which may include simply completing a “Quarantine Card,” undergoing a routine medical exam at the airport, or, in some circumstances, transportation to local hospitals and/or hotels designated for quarantine. 

5) H&Q will implement different procedures for individual passengers with H1N1 influenza symptoms, which may include: 1) observation in a hospital designated to handle H1N1 cases, or quarantine (e.g., in Beijing: Guomen Hotel).  As of May 4, 2009, the official quarantine period was announced to be up to seven days.  As of May 5, 2009, the principal hospitals designated as H1N1 treatment centers are:

-       Beijing:  Ditan Hospital, You'An Hospital, and Peking Union Hospital.
-       Shanghai:  Shanghai Public Health Center, Jinshan District and Children's Hospital   of Fudan University, Minghan District
-       Guangzhou: Guangzhou No. 2 Hospital
-       Chengdu:  Huaxi Hospital, People's No. 6 Hospital, and Chengdu No. 4 Hospital.
-       Shenyang:  Shenyang Children's Hospital, Shenyang No.4 Hospital, and Shengjing Hospital.

6) If you are ordered into quarantine or admitted to a hospital for observation, please immediately contact the U.S. Embassy general line at (86) 10-8531-3000, or Beijing’s Consular Duty Officer at (86) 139-1022-0575 to report your situation.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that most cases of influenza are not 2009-H1N1 Influenza.  Any questions or concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional.  Although the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or provide medical services to the public, listings of hospitals and doctors for the five consular districts can be found at the following websites:

Beijing:   http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/acs_health.html
Shanghai:  http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_facilities.html
Guangzhou:  http://guangzhou.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical_providers_in_south_china.htm
Chengdu:  http://chengdu.usembassy-china.org.cn/health/_local_doctors.html
Shenyang:  http://shenyang.usembassy-china.org.cn/medical2.html

U.S. citizens may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in the United States for the latest travel information.  The Office of Overseas Citizens Services can be reached from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday, by calling 1-888-407-4747 from within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling (202) 501-4444 from other countries.

Americans living or traveling in China are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within China.  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.

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in China: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in China: "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in China: "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in China should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in China: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

How We Can Help

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