Avian Influenza

General Information

A number of countries have reported cases of avian influenza, commonly referred to as “bird flu.”  The vast majority of the known human cases have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry, and there is only limited evidence to suggest possible human-to-human transmission.

At this time, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization have not issued any travel alerts or advisories for avian flu-infected areas.  CDC advises travelers to clean their hands often with soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand-rubs to help prevent disease transmission.  In addition, as a precaution, all foods from poultry, including eggs, should be thoroughly cooked.

A specific vaccine for humans that is effective against avian influenza has not yet been developed.  Based upon limited data, the CDC has suggested that the anti-viral medication Oseltamavir (brand name-Tamiflu) may be effective in preventing or treating avian influenza.  Tamiflu may not be readily available overseas and the State Department encourages American citizens traveling or living abroad that are interested in obtaining this medication to consult with their physicians.  The U.S. Embassy has ordered a small supply of Tamiflu for its staff members, but there is no provision or legal authority that allows the U.S. Government to provide American citizens traveling or living abroad with medications, including in the event of a pandemic.

The U.S. Embassy recommends that all Americans traveling to or living in Slovenia consult with their physicians to receive a regular flu vaccine.  Although this will not protect against avian flu, it can help to facilitate accurate diagnosis (and therefore appropriate treatment) of those who might become ill with a non-vaccine influenza strain such as avian flu.  The U.S. Embassy has made this same recommendation to its own staff members.

The Situation in Slovenia

The Slovene Veterinary Administration reported approximately 50 confirmed cases of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza among wild birds in the northeast region of the country in 2006.  No infected birds have been found since March 25, 2006, and all of the protection and surveillance zones around the sites where the infected birds were found were removed as of May 6, 2006.  Currently, the Government of Slovenia has declared an area three kilometers wide along the Drava River in northeast Slovenia to be a high-risk zone for avian influenza, because that is a traditional path for migratory birds.  Poultry breeders in that area must keep their free-range animals in fenced pens. The animals may not have access to water that is home to wild birds. In addition, wild birds must be prevented from coming in contact with open-air water tanks used by domestic fowl, and poultry may only drink boiled water if the water comes from open sources which could be used by wild birds.

For more information about "sheltering in place" during a pandemic outbreak, please click here.

For additional information about Avian flu and other pandemic outbreaks, please consult the following web sites:

State Department's Avian Flu Fact Sheet
State Department's Avian Flu FAQ page
U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Avian Flu Page
World Health Organization's Avian Flu Page
U.S. Government's Pandemic Flu web site
Slovene Ministry of Health’s page (in Slovene only)
Slovene Veterinary Administration’s page (in Slovene only)
State Department’s Global Issues page

This information was last updated on March 27, 2007.