050415 World Status Report
May 4, 2015
Brought to you by the International Center Risk and Safety Office. Use this report to be up to date about risks identified by worldwide official and professional sources.
This information may change without prior notice
Avoid Nonessential Travel
CDC
- 05/04/2015 Ebola standing travel notice. CDC urges all US residents to avoid nonessential travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone because of unprecedented outbreaks of Ebola in those countries.
- 04/29/2015 Earthquake in Nepal. On Saturday, April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck 48 miles (77 km) northwest of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. The earthquake also caused avalanches around Mount Everest and many aftershocks. CDC recommends that US residents avoid all nonessential travel to Nepal.
U.S. Department of State
- 05/02/2015 Central African Republic Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Central African Republic (CAR). The Government of Chad closed its border with CAR May 12, 2014. Only citizens of Chad returning home will be able to cross the Chad-CAR border. U.S. citizens who have decided to stay in CAR despite this warning should review their personal security situation and seriously consider departing. This replaces the Travel Warning of November 5, 2014, to reflect the risk of remaining in CAR and continued lack of security.
- 05/01/2015 Nepal Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nepal and recommends that they defer non-essential travel there following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25. The U.S. Department of State encourages U.S. citizens in Nepal, and their friends and family who might be located elsewhere, to closely monitor the media as well as the Nepal Crisis Page to determine next steps.
- 04/29/2015 Iraq Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq. Travel within Iraq remains dangerous given the security situation. The Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulates General in Basrah and Erbil are open and operating. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated August 10, 2014.
Take Enhanced Precautions
CDC
- 05/01/2015 Hepatitis A in Mexico (Tulum). As of May 1, 2015, a total of 27 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in US travelers who went to Tulum, Mexico. All of the people traveled between the dates of February 15, 2015, and March 20, 2015. CDC recommends that travelers to Mexico get vaccinated against hepatitis A and follow all food and water precautions.
- 05/01/2015 HFMD in Japan. According to the World Health Organization, as of April 1, Japan has reported more than 13,800 cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in 2015. Since the middle of March, weekly case numbers of HFMD have increased and are higher than in previous years. CDC recommends that travelers to Japan follow recommendations for hygiene and cleanliness to avoid HFMD.
- 04/29/15 Avian influenza in U.S. domestic poultry and wild birds; no human infections. USDA is reporting that H5 viruses have been detected in birds in 18 U.S. states; 13 states have experienced outbreaks in poultry flocks and 5 states have detected H5 in wild birds. No human infections with these viruses have been detected at this time, however similar viruses have infected people in other countries and caused serious illness and death in some cases.
WHO
- 04/29/2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Saudi Arabia. Between 14 and 20 April 2015, the National IHR Focal Point for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of 4 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including 1 death.
- 04/29/2015 Meningococcal disease – Niger. Between 1 January and 25 April 2015, the Ministry of Public Health of Niger notified WHO of 1543 suspected cases of meningococcal disease, including 147 deaths.
United Nations
- 05/01/2015 Security Council demands immediate end to hostilities in Mali, urges parties to abide by ceasefire. The United Nations Security Council today expressed its deep concern at the outbreak of violence that has occurred in Mali this past week, which “threatens to undermine the peace process, and demanded that the hostilities cease immediately.”
Ebola News
CDC
- 05/01/2015 Ebola case in Liberia that may have resulted due to sexual transmission of Ebola Virus.
- 05/01/2015 Updated Case Counts (From WHO SitReps). Countries with Widespread Transmission, Countries with an Initial Case or Cases and/or Localized Transmission, Previously Affected Countries.
WHO
- 05/04/2015 Ebola data and statistics. Reports 26 339 cases and 10 895 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
United Nations
- 04/29/2015 UNMEER Situation Report. KEY POINTS: Sensitization and detection of Ebola cases campaign continued in Coyah, Guinea, with some logistical problems and reported resistance. Only one confirmed Ebola case in each of the last two days in Sierra Leone, one each in Kambia and Western Area Urban.
Lifted Risks
WHO
