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From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com>
Subject: ALL:  NEW TRAVEL INFO -- India
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Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 13:41:02 GMT
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STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - India
============================================================
India - Public Announcement
 October 17, 1994

 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 Office of the Spokesman

 For Immediate Release

The Indian government advises that cases of pneumonic and bubonic 
plague have been confirmed in Gujarat and Maharashtra states.  There 
have been at least 50 deaths in Gujarat state from plague.  There 
are reports of plague infection in Bombay, New Delhi and elsewhere 
in India.  Bubonic plague is transmitted by infected rodent fleas.  
Pneumonic plague spreads directly from a person with plague 
pneumonia to other persons via infectious airborne droplets without 
an intervening insect/rodent host.  From the public health 
standpoint, pneumonic plague is of greater concern because of the 
potential for person to person spread.

U.S. citizens in India are encouraged to follow normal hygienic 
practices and consult a doctor if symptoms of any illness occur.  
The incubation period of plague is usually 2 to 7 days.  The illness 
is characterized by the rapid onset of fever, chills, headache, 
generalized aches and pains, and prostration.  Plague is a bacterial 
infection which is successfully treated with a variety of readily 
available antibiotics.  Plague vaccine is of uncertain value in 
control of an epidemic situation and is not recommended for use at 
this time.  The risk of plague infection to international travelers 
is low.

Travelers leaving India should expect delays in third countries, 
including health screening upon arrival.

Travelers entering Pakistan from India are subject to a six-day 
quarantine.  The policy applies to all visitors from all regions of 
India, arriving by land, sea, or air, at any port of entry in 
Pakistan.  The quarantine also applies to individuals who arrive via 
third countries before six days have passed since their departure 
>from India.  There are no exceptions to this policy.

Non-Omani citizen travelers entering Oman after travel to India 
will be required to demonstrate that they have been in a third 
country for a minimum period oD seven days or will be subject to 
immediate deportation.

Travelers returning to the U.S. will receive a plague alert notice 
that will provide information on plague symptoms and medical contact 
numbers.  Should the traveler become ill within seven days after 
arrival in the U.S., he should be seen by a health care provider.  
Travelers with identifiable symptoms of plague may be isolated at 
the port of entry or released under medical surveillance.  Travelers 
may wish to consult with airlines and travel agents for additional 
travel information.

Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the 
Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at 
(404) 332-4559.


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