Embassy of the United States of America
Nairobi, Kenya
March 23, 2009
Warden Message
This warden message is being issued to inform American citizens of the public health alert issued by the Kenyan Ministry of Health regarding a cholera outbreak. The World Health Organization has deemed the growing outbreak, currently in eleven districts in the Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Northeastern Provinces, as an acute crisis.
Cholera is a potentially fatal bacterial infection of the intestine that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration. The disease is spread through untreated sewage and contaminated drinking water. Travelers to Kenya should drink boiled or bottled water, use boiled or bottled water in food preparation, and regularly wash their hands with a sanitizer. Travelers should be selective when choosing food and beverage establishments in Kenya, only patronizing those with the capacity to prepare and serve food in a sanitary environment.
For additional information on cholera, American citizens may refer to the CDC's website at http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/cholera_gi.html. American citizens experiencing symptoms associated with cholera, such as severe diarrhea, should seek immediate medical attention.
Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254) (20) 363-6157. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6000. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov.
Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
American Citizen Services Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Nairobi
Tel: ( 254) 20 375 3704
Fax:( 254) 20 363 6410
Email: kenya_acs@state.gov
Emergency Telephone Number (254) 20 363 6000
Note: Online registration is available at https://travelregistration.state.gov. Please update your registration with the Embassy once a year.