Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:597
Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories
Path: world!bzs
From: Wally Doerge <76702.1202@compuserve.com>
Subject: ALL:  NEW TRAVEL INFO -- India
Message-ID: <940929140827_76702.1202_CHN25-1@CompuServe.COM>
Precedence: bulk
Sender: bzs@world.std.com (daemons)
Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die
Distribution: wstd
Date: Thu, 29 Sep 1994 14:08:27 GMT
Approved: usenet@world.std.com
Lines: 56
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - India
============================================================
India - Public Announcement
 September 29, 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 
respectively.  There have been approximately 50 deaths in Gujarat 
State.  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 more rapid spread.

Travelers leaving India should expect delays in third countries, 
including health screening upon arrival.  Travelers returning to the 
U.S. will receive a plague alert notice which will provide 
information on plague symptoms and medical contact numbers.  
Travelers with identifiable symptoms of plague will be directed to 
medical facilities.  U.S. citizens may wish to consult with airlines 
and travel agents for additional travel information.

U.S. citizens in the infected area 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.

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

 No. 94-iii


----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and
BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and
Consular Information Sheets.  To unsubscribe, send a message containing the
word "unsubscribe" to:	travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu

Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL:
"http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher:
gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories