U.S. Embassy in Peru

Location:

Peru

Event:

Peruvian authorities have declared a health alert to prevent the spread of H5N1 avian influenza from wild birds to farm poultry.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the current risk to the public from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in wild birds and poultry to be low.  People rarely contract avian influenza.  Please take the following precautions to help lower your risk of exposure or illness:

• Avoid direct contact with dead or sick wild birds.
• Do not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva, mucous, or feces from wild or domestic birds.
• Avoid visiting poultry farms, bird markets, or other places where live poultry are raised, kept, or sold.  This includes local markets.
• Do not let your pets come in contact with dead or sick wild birds.
• Maintain good personal hygiene with regular hand washing.
• To report dead birds, please contact SENASA +51 946922469 or email: reporta.peru@senasa.gob.pe

Actions to take:

• Comply with instructions from the Peruvian National Police and local authorities.
• Visit the CDC Travelers Health Page.
• Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for country health advisories or call CDC at 800-232-4636 or 404-639-3534.
• Register in STEP ( https://step.state.gov/) to receive alerts and messaging from the U.S. Embassy in Lima.

For Assistance:

• U.S. Embassy Lima, Peru
  Avenida La Encalada cdra. 17 s/n
  Santiago de Surco 15023, Lima
  +51-1-618-2000
  LimaACS@state.gov
  https://pe.usembassy.gov
• U.S. Consular Agency Cusco
  Avenida El Sol 449
  Cusco
  CuscoACS@state.gov
• State Department – Consular Affairs
  +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
• Peru Country Information
• To receive alerts, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  Need help?  Email: CASTEP@state.gov.
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