This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the Government of Angola’s decision to close the border between the province of Lunda Norte and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to an outbreak of the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Following the November 2008 outbreak of Ebola in Kasai Occidental Province in south-central Democratic Republic of Congo, the Government of Angola (GoA) closed the border between DRC and Lunda Norte. According to press accounts, this recent outbreak in the DRC has resulted in at least 13 confirmed deaths and 40 people becoming infected. Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a collection of viral illnesses that run from mild illness to some of the deadliest viral illnesses known that can kill 50 to 90 percent of its victims.

The Angolan Ministry of Health has advised that there are no identified cases of Ebola in Angola.

The military and police have been urged to be on alert for any possible signs of Ebola in the eastern and northern provinces of Moxico, Malange, Uige, Lunda Sul and Lunda Norte because of their proximity with the DRC. American citizens should take the necessary precautions when traveling in these areas.

Additional information on Ebola can be found on the Centers for Disease Control's website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola/abroad.htm.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Angola are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to also review the Embassy's Internet website at http://usembassy.state.gov/angola for the latest travel and security information within Angola.

Americans without Internet access may register directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Registration will permit the consular section to contact a registered individual in case of an emergency.For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section is located at the U.S. Embassy, Rua Houari Boumedienne, 32, tel. (244) 222-641-000, (244) 222-445-481, 222-445-727, 222-446-096; fax (244) 222-641-259. Normal Embassy business hours are Monday – Thursday, 0800 – 1800 hrs. and Friday 0800 – 1200. For after hours emergencies, the Embassy Duty Officer may be reached at (244) 923-404-209.