H1N1 INFLUENZA OUTBREAK, UPDATE #1

Embassy Beijing
May 6, 2009

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.

You can read the complete report at http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/050609u.html