We are sending this message to British Nationals who have registered with us as being in Belarus

Swine Flu (H1N1) is now affecting Belarus. The number of confirmed cases across the world continues to grow. The World Health Organisation's current pandemic alert level is Phase 6. This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the (H1N1) Swine Flu virus in more than one WHO region. The alert phase refers to the geographical spread of the pandemic, not its severity. See further information on the WHO website.

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 Belarus.

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

Influenza is transmitted via the respiratory route and you should exercise sensible precautions:

• Where possible avoid close contact with persons who are ill with a flu-like illness
• Wash hands with soap and water; use waterless alcohol-based hand gels when soap and water is not available
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, to prevent the spread of germs
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue promptly
• Keep hard surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops) clean using a normal cleaning solution
• Ensure that children follow the same advice
• Swine flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products
• There is little evidence of the effectiveness of wearing masks; however, properly fitted special grade masks can be worn in situations such as healthcare settings.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HM Government. We have provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are concerned about the current swine flu outbreak: +44 207 928 1010.  The Department of Health website gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak.

How this epidemic will affect Belarus and how serious it will be as a health risk worldwide is far from clear.  The Embassy is in regular contact with local authorities about their preparations for any increase in severity of the pandemic.

Things could change rapidly, and we want British Nationals in Belarus 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.  Any change to the level of service we can provide will be reflected in our travel advice and on the Embassy website.

We will not be able to make personal visits to those infected with swine flu, nor can we provide any medical treatment (including anti-virals). You should seek local medical advice if you feel it necessary.  You can check your symptoms via the direct.gov.uk website or via the telephone helpline.

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.

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