032516 – World Status Report

Avoid Nonessential Travel

U.S. Department of State

• Burundi Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Burundi.

Take Enhanced Precautions

CDC

• Lassa Fever advisory.  CDC recommends that travelers to Nigeria and Benin avoid contact with rats, especially rat urine and feces; avoid eating rats; and follow hygiene and food safety precautions to prevent Lassa fever.
• Chikungunya virus advisory. CDC recommends that travelers to South America protect themselves against Chikungunya virus by preventing mosquito bites.
• 2016 Summer Olympics (Rio 2016). The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016. The Paralympic Games is scheduled for September 7 to September 18, 2016. If you plan to travel to Brazil for the Olympics or Paralympics, follow CDC’s recommendations to help you stay safe and healthy.

WHO

• Angola grapples with worst yellow fever outbreak in 30 years. Yellow fever virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes, the most common species being Aedes aegypti – the same mosquito that spreads the Zika virus.
• Cases of yellow fever have been exported during the Angola outbreak by travelers to countries including China, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya. Namibia and Zambia are on high alert for imported cases.
• WHO Yellow Fever Document.  The document contains the following information: Countries stated requirements for yellow fever vaccinations, recommendations for travelers regarding yellow fever vaccinations, details concerning the malaria situation and recommended prevention of the disease, and other vaccination requirements for travelers.

U.S. Department of State

• Europe Travel Alert. The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe following several terrorist attacks, including the March 22 attacks in Brussels claimed by ISIL.
• Turkey Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey and to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey.
• Republic of Congo Travel Alert. The State Department alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to The Republic of the Congo regarding the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for March 20.
• Iran Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Iran.
• Haiti Travel Alert. Tensions remain high and The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation as the electoral process progresses to a resolution.
• Laos Travel Alert. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to a series of recent shooting attacks along Road 13, a major thoroughfare connecting Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng, two of Laos’ most popular tourist destinations.

Zika News

CDC

• Zika virus advisory.  CDC recommends that travelers to Dominica, Cuba, American Samoa, El Salvador, Barbados, Aruba, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Costa Rica, Mexico, French Guiana, New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Curacao, Martinique, Cape Verde, Marshal Islands, Bonaire, Saint Martin, Suriname, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Islands, Bolivia, Tonga, Sint Maarten, Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Jamaica, and Brazil protect themselves from the Zika virus by preventing from mosquito bites.  Sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is possible, so travelers are also encouraged to use condoms.

WHO

• New Pregnancy Management during the Zika virus epidemic.  The guidance aims to reduce the risk of maternal Zika infection and to help manage potential complications during pregnancy to give both mothers and their babies the best possible health outcomes.
• Zika virus and potential complications.  Find latest news, situation and response, research and development and resources and publications on the Zika virus.

Ebola News

WHO

The risk information in this report is retrieved from U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other professional sources as listed in the post. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources listed for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.