BRITISH EMBASSY COMMUNITY NOTICE

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic.  Comprehensive advice and information on the current situation can be found on the WHO website.

On 11 June the WHO raised the pandemic alert level to phase 6.  

There has been several confirmed cases of swine flu (H1N1) in Morocco, none of which have been fatal.  The British Embassy is keeping its contingency plans under review.  We are monitoring the situation here very closely and are taking advice from London and local authorities in Morocco.  

In order for you to keep up to date on any further developments, you should closely monitor the Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice www.fco.gov.uk for our latest advice.  There is also a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website.

The following websites can also provide any additional information (please click on the links):

World Health Organisation
UK Department of Health
Health Protection Agency
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:

• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• making sure your children follow this advice.

How this epidemic will affect Morocco and how serious it will be as a health risk worldwide is far from clear.  But things could change rapidly, and I wanted British Nationals in Morocco to have the best sources of information and advice available to them.  Depending on developments, there is a possibility that the level of consular assistance and visa service which we can provide may be significantly reduced, or in certain circumstances we may have to close the Mission temporarily to prevent the spread of infection.  We will let you know if the situation disrupts our operation.

Please note that we are not able to offer any medical treatment or supplies.  You should seek local medical advice if you feel it necessary.  The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation of British Nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.

If you have further questions, please email us at rabat.consular@fco.gov.uk

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