American Citizens Services Newsletter
ACS Newsletter (December 2005)
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong
Welcome to the December newsletter!
Through this monthly newsletter, we provide information pertaining to security and other topics of interest to U.S. citizens in Hong Kong and Macau who have registered with American Citizens Services (ACS).
Here are this month's topics:
Holiday Travel for Americans
The holidays are right around the corner, so plan now to ensure you reach your holiday destination. Do all family members have current U.S. passports (remember, many countries in Asia require at least six months validity to allow you to enter)? Have all children born overseas been documented as U.S. citizens? Passports take about ten working days overseas (routine processing in the U.S. is now four to six weeks), and applications are by appointment only. All the details are on our web site at http://www.hongkongacs.com!
Plan Ahead for Security Procedures at the Airport
As the holidays approach, air travelers are urged to plan ahead for security procedures at the airport. With heavy passenger volume expected at Christmas and New Year, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has created a "Holiday Checklist" to minimize delays by helping passengers prepare for the screening process. Following a few simple guidelines will help make passenger screening as efficient as possible.
The checklist is available at http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/Holiday_Checklist.html
Fake Tamiflu Warning
Local media reported that Hong Kong Health Secretary York Chow stated there could be fake anti-viral drug Tamilfu on the market. Tamiflu is considered a prescription drug in both Hong Kong and the U.S., so persons choosing to obtain Tamiflu via third parties and the Internet should exercise prudent decision making and caution.
FDA approved Flu Vaccine (Vaxigrip) Shots in Hong Kong and Macau
Persons seeking regular flu vaccines should consult our listing of medical care providers in Hong Kong and Macau at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_medical.html. We understand that not all providers have the vaccine at present. Our own health unit has referred people to the following providers:
Drs. Nicolson + Associates
200HKD/shot by nurse, by appointment, tel 2525-1251
Central Medical Practice
Dr. John Simon
200HKD/shot by nurse, by appointment, tel 2521-2567
Hong Kong Adventist Hospital
280HKD/shot, including GP Consultation, by appointment, tel 2574-6211
The Hong Kong Medical Council, telephone 2961-8648, also maintains a comprehensive listing of at http://www.mchk.org.hk
Please note that getting a flu shot this year will not afford any protection against a future pandemic avian influenza virus. The annual influenza vaccine is targeted against specific influenza strains predicted from the previous year. Yearly seasonal flu shots are not even effective against next year's influenza strains, let alone against a future emerging pandemic strain. Learn more at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian_2005110401.html
Keeping Current on Pandemic/Avian Flu Information
http://www.pandemicflu.gov is the official U.S. government web site for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. The site includes information gathered from other web sites, including the CDC and WHO. Americans may wish in particular to review the details of the U.S. National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza at http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza.html as part of their personal preparations.
The Consulate's own web page on these issues is available at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian.html.
Our new FAQ is at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian_2005110401.html
Updated Hong Kong Government Website on Avian Flu Prevention
The Hong Kong Government has updated its avian influenza website at http://www.info.gov.hk/info/flu/eng. The website provides up-to-date information on avian flu, including Government releases on preventive measures being taken in Hong Kong, health advice and global statistics. Advice urging the public to step up personal hygiene and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will help build immunity, is available in the form of leaflets and the Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Kit, which can be downloaded from the website. The website has a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) application which allows subscribers to receive automatically the latest news updates on avian flu via their personal computers, smart phones or personal digital devices.
Australian Government Advice on Avian Influenza
The Australian Government has issued information and advice on avian influenza that may also be of interest to Americans. Please see http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health_:_Avian_Influenza. Their website at http://www.smartraveler.gov.au/ is similar in scope to the US Department of State's own site at http://travel.state.gov and contains a significant amount of travel related advice.
American Embassy Beijing's Recent AI Message
Two Cases of Animal to Human Transmission in China Confirmed, China Showing Greater Transparency, and Suggested Means of Disease Prevention
On November 16, China's Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed two human cases and one suspected case of H5N1 avian influenza. The two confirmed cases involve a nine-year-old boy in Xiangtan County of Hunan Province, central China, and a 24-year-old woman farmer in Zongyang County of Anhui Province, in eastern China. The boy has recovered and was released from the hospital last weekend; the woman died on November 10. The boy's 12-year-old sister, who died on Oct. 17, was reported as a suspected human case, but it cannot be confirmed by WHO standards due to insufficient evidence from laboratory tests.
These cases represent sporadic transmission to people who had direct exposure to diseased chickens. To date, there have been no cases of confirmed human-to-human transmission of avian influenza in China. These announcements by the Chinese government continue a welcome trend of increasing reporting by the Chinese government on avian influenza and of active measures by the Chinese government to combat avian influenza. These measure included: Announcement of 17 outbreaks of AI in birds in eight provinces; Destruction of approximately 12 million birds; Quarantine of approximately 1900 people and Surveying of at least 400,000 people. The main route of human infection is direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces and objects contaminated with their feces or blood.
Health professionals advise individuals living in an area affected by avian flu to avoid contact with live birds, chickens, ducks, turkeys and geese and their feces, feathers and pens. Children, in particular, should be warned and precautions enforced. If preparing poultry, cook it well done before eating. Avoid cross contamination of other foods by use of separate kitchen utensils and surfaces exposed to raw poultry. Wash hands with soap and water after any poultry contact. Be sure, if possible, that poultry does not live near your housing area. Do not transport live or dead poultry even if it appears to be healthy. Avoid poultry products from areas of infected birds. Try to avoid travel to areas that have had outbreaks of infection. If you must travel to infected areas, check the websites listed below for more details on preventive measures.
Specific CDC travel information relating to avian influenza, including preventive measures, is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm. WHO guidance related to avian influenza is available at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
Americans living or traveling in China are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ or by contacting the Embassy directly at amcitbeijing@state.gov. or 86-10-6532-3431 x5609. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. U.S. citizens planning to travel to China should consult the Department of State's country-specific Public Announcements, Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html, and other travel information, available at http://travel.state.gov. Up-to-date information on security conditions can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S., and for callers outside the U.S. and Canada a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
Computer Security Awareness
Parents are reminded of the importance of monitoring their children's online time. Recent press reports have highlighted the sad reality that adults on the internet have been known to frequent chat rooms and online gaming sites, soliciting information from children. Children should never give out any personal information (bio data, phone numbers, information about their school or family) without parental permission. Parents should report suspicious activity to the local police.
Democrats Abroad Hong Kong Monthly Speakers Corner
Democrats Abroad Hong Kong announced that on December 13, at 6:30 pm Ms. Nancy Hernreich-Bowen, former Assistant to President Clinton and Director of Oval Office Operations at the White House, will share insights and anecdotes from her years in the Clinton Administration. Join the group at Goccia (1/F 73 Wyndham Street). To RSVP, or for more information regarding monthly meetings, please contact auria_styles@hotmail.com.
WTO Update
The Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) comes to Hong Kong December 13-18 (the official web site is at http://www.wtomc6.gov.hk/eng/home/welcome.html). During that time we expect to be especially busy assisting Americans, and so encourage everyone to please take care of routine business with us ahead of time, and book appointments during the WTO period as early as possible.
Americans should be aware of the possibility of protests and demonstrations related to WTO, some of which may become violent. While the WTO sessions will take place in the Wanchai area of central Hong Kong, protests may also occur at other locations established to keep demonstrators at a distance from the site. While most of these demonstrations are not likely to be specifically targeted at Americans, the threat of being caught up accidentally in some incident is such that Americans are strongly advised to monitor local media and avoid large crowds and protests.
According to multiple reports, protestors will be allowed to stage demonstrations at the Wan Chai Sports Ground and the Wan Chai public cargo working area. Victoria Park in Causeway Bay has also been mentioned. Hotels near Pacific Place, and Tamar, where many delegates will stay, may also be the sites of protests and/or security zones. Traffic lanes between the hotels and the Wan Chai convention center WTO site will be congested, and may be the sites of protests and/or subject to security restrictions. Foreign Consulates, including the American Consulate, Chater Garden and Government House may also be the site of protests. At least one group has indicated it will protest in Kowloon as well.
Published reports state that the WTO is expected to draw 6000 delegates, 3000 NGO representatives, 2000 media and some 10,000 protesters.
The Hong Kong police have set up a special web site dealing with WTO issues at http://www.info.gov.hk/police/hkp-home/english/misc/mc6/index.htm
Limited Visa Services During December WTO Meeting
The U.S. Consulate Hong Kong would like to alert the general public that our visa services for non-American Citizens will be greatly reduced beginning December 1 through 18, 2005, due to the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong. Many members of our staff who normally work in the Visa Unit will be occupied supporting the U.S. delegation involved in the WTO ministerial and will therefore be unavailable to assist with visa processing. Anyone who is considering travel to the United States during this period is strongly encouraged to apply for their visas as early as possible. Please plan ahead! Normal visa services will resume on December 19. In addition, please be aware that the U.S. Consulate General is closed on the holidays of December 26 and 27. For questions or to make an appointment, please visit our website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/
Online Appointment System for All American Citizens Services
Online appointments are required for all services provided by the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General Hong. Book your appointment at http://www.hongkongacs.com.
If you need directions to our offices, try this online searchable map:
http://www.ypmap.com/en/viewer.asp?mapService=LocationMap
Search for us by street address at 26 Garden Road.
Need more passport pages?
If your full-validity U.S. passport has not expired yet, but has no blank pages left for say additional Chinese visas, we can add additional pages for you free of charge. Barring any unusual circumstances, we can usually add pages to your passport in about 45 minutes, while you wait. You need to make an appointment for this service, and special rules apply to children's passports. Learn more at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_supplement.html.
Current Travel Information
For the most current travel warnings, public announcements, and other travel information published by the Department of State, please go directly to http://travel.state.gov. You can read the most current Worldwide Caution at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, issued August 2, 2005.
Upcoming Holidays and Other Closures
The Consulate will be closed on the following holidays in 2005.
| December 26, 2005 | | (Monday) | | Christmas Day observed |
| December 27, 2005 | | (Tuesday) | | Second Weekday after Christmas Day |
Subscribing/Unsubscribing
Anyone who wishes to sign up to receive this monthly ACS email newsletter and the travel advice we provide can do so simply by going to our web page at http://www.hongkongacs.com and submit their email address in the fill-in box towards the bottom of the page. You can also unsubscribe through the web page.
This service is free, and open to anyone who wishes to use it. It is not restricted to Americans, and people outside of Hong Kong may also subscribe. Businesspeople in the US, schools with exchange students here, the media and people considering travel to Hong Kong may wish to subscribe. In the event of a major disaster or pandemic, this will be one of the primary ways we will communicate information to the American Citizen community.
New subscribers will be sent the last few messages we have sent out in a digest form to help them catch up. Back issues are on the web at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_newsletter.html.
This newsletter is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General, Hong Kong, tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://www.hongkongacs.com; All services by online appointment only.
Last modified: November 29, 2005
American Citizens Services
Newsletter
