Warden Messages

Information for Americans

For the latest Security Notices, please see the "Security Tips" webpage.

For the latest Security Notices, please see the "Demonstration Notices" webpage.

General information for U.S. Citizens in Italy

All Americans in Italy are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Rome or the Consulates General in Naples, Milan and Florence. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Italy and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy Consular Section in Rome is located at Via Vittorio Veneto, 121.
Our website is: italy.usembassy.gov

U.S. Consulates in Italy are located in:
MILAN: Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10; telephone number: 02-290-351
FLORENCE: Lungarno A. Vespucci, 38; telephone number: 055-266-951
NAPLES: Piazza della Repubblica; telephone number: 081-583-8111

U.S. Consular Agents in Italy are located in:
GENOA: Via Dante, 2
PALERMO: Via Vaccarini, 1
VENICE: Marco Polo Airport, General Aviation Terminal, Viale Galileo Galilei, 30

As the Department continues to develop information on conditions affecting the well-being and safety of U.S. citizens overseas, it shares information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

(October 20, 2009) – H1N1

This Warden Message is being issued to update U.S. citizens on measures taken in Italy to address the H1N1 Influenza pandemic and to advise U.S. citizens on the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of H1N1 Influenza:

H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a novel influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus was first detected in people in Mexico in March 2009 and then in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.

Italy has so far examined 10,018 suspected cases of swine flu, and 2,557 have been confirmed as caused by the A/H1N1 virus from Mexico. The Italian Labor, Social Policy and Health Ministry has set up a crisis coordination center, which is issuing guidelines to Italy’s Regions (responsible for most public health care delivery) and border authorities, drawing on current information and on procedures established in Italy’s avian/pandemic influenza plan. The Ministry is also preparing a vaccination development strategy and will distribute the vaccine to the various regions in Italy between October 15- November 15 2009 to cover up to 40% of the Italian population. Ten million doses of the drug Zanamivir (Relenza ) and 60 thousand doses of the drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ) are ready in Italy. In addition, around 30 million doses of Tamiflu are available in a longer-lasting powder form, and will be turned into capsules by the Military Pharmaceutical Institute in Florence. The GOI’s +39 1500 telephone help line , which people can call to ask for information on the swine flu situation, is taking calls from 8 am to 8 pm daily. 10,000 calls have already been received, and Italy’s health officials are discussing expanding its capacity. Italy’s Health Ministry will be issuing press releases twice daily, at noon and 6:00 p.m. to help update citizens on the swine flu situation.

Due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources, the U.S. Embassy in Rome and the Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples are not in a position to provide private citizens with pandemic- related supplies, medications or medical treatment, including vaccines, and cannot provide specific medical advice. Questions and concerns about influenza or other illnesses should be directed to a medical professional. A list of local hospitals and doctors can be found on our website at http://www.italy.usembassy.gov/acs/professionals/doctors/doctors-main.asp

As a precautionary measure, some guidelines can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease and to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after your use it.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food

If you are quarantined or placed in isolation due to 2009-H1N1 influenza, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Rome or the Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples at the numbers below and let us know, so we can monitor your situation. However, please be aware that the Embassy/Consulates General cannot demand your immediate release if you have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.

Guidance for Passive Surveillance

- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals maintain a distance of six feet from someone who appears ill

- Avoid closed, crowded settings

For up-to-date information on measures the U.S. Government is taking and developments to date please go to www.flu.gov

Food Supplies:

It is each person’s responsibility to ensure that his or her family is maintaining an adequate supply of food for an emergency.

Food stored by families should primarily consist of non-perishable items that do not require refrigeration, or water for preparation, and should include adequate amounts of food for family members on special diets, such as the elderly or infants on formula. U.S. citizens might consider canned food, freeze- dried meals and energy bars, all of which can provide necessary nutrition in an emergency, are not exorbitantly expensive, and have a shelf-life measured in years. American citizens with existing consumables shipments or other large stocks of food supplies should practice “first in, first out” maintenance by eating the oldest stocks of food in their supply first.

Top priority for vaccinating against swine flu, according to the CDC:

H1N1 vaccine doses will be prioritized to those in high-risk categories (see CDC recommendations below).

Here are the top priority for vaccinating against swine flu , according to the CDC:

Pregnant Women. There’s the aforementioned complications for pregnant women, and there is the thought that they’ll pass on their immunity to their unborn.
Families of Babies Under 6 Months. Because tiny babies do not get shots (usually), other members of the family should be vaccinated to protect them.
All Kids 6 months to 24 years. So far, it seems that toddlers, adolescents, and teens are more susceptible to swine flu than seasonal flu. Plus, if they go to school outside the home, they are at risk in those germ-infested buildings.
Adults age 25 through 64 who have underlying medical conditions.
All Health Care Workers. Those in the health care field could spread the virus, but the bigger problem is that if they’re sick, they won’t be able to care for the rest of us.

For more information on how to prepare for a severe pandemic, please see the State Department "Pandemic Influenza Fact Sheet" and "Options During a Pandemic" flyer located on www.travel.state.gov. Detailed information about 2009-H1N1 influenza can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the U.S. Government's federal influenza website at http://www.flu.gov, and the World Health Organization website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.

All U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Italy are encouraged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Rome or the Consulates General in Milan, Florence, and Naples. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Italy and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.

U.S. Embassy Consular Section in Rome is located at Via Vittorio Veneto, 121. The telephone number is 06-4674-1. Our website is: www.italy.usembassy.gov

U.S. Consulates General in Italy are located in :

NAPLES: Piazza della Repubblica; telephone number: 081-583-8111

MILAN : Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10; telephone number: 02-290-351

FLORENCE : Lungarno A. Vespucci, 38; telephone number: 055-266-951

U.S. Consular Agents in Italy are located in :

GENOA: Via Dante, 2
PALERMO: Via Vaccarini, 1
VENICE: Marco Polo Airport, General Aviation Terminal, Viale Galileo Galilei, 30

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