052516 – World Status Report
May 25, 2016
Avoid Nonessential Travel
U.S. Department of State
- Somalia Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Somalia because of continuous threats by the al-Qaida affiliated terrorist group, al-Shabaab.
Take Enhanced Precautions
CDC
- Yellow Fever advisory. The Ministry of Health in the countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda have reported an outbreak of yellow fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers to these countries, aged 9 months or older be vaccinated against yellow fever.
- Lyme Disease advisory. Lyme disease is spread by the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, an estimated 300,000 infections occur each year. If you camp, hike, work, or play in wooded or grassy places, protect yourself from tick bites.
WHO
- Emergency Committee meeting on yellow fever. The first WHO convened Emergency Committee on yellow fever has met in response to the ongoing outbreak of the disease in central Africa. The Committee emphasized that the urban yellow fever outbreaks are a serious risk that warrant intensified national action and enhanced international support.
Zika News
CDC
- How to Protect Against Mosquito Bites. Zika virus is spread to people mainly through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes that spread Zika bite mostly during the day, but they can also bite at night. The best way to prevent Zika is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.
WHO
- Zika virus strain imported from the Americas to Cabo Verde. Sequencing of the virus in Cabo Verde by Institut Pasteur, Dakar confirms that the Zika virus currently circulating in Cabo Verde is the same as the one circulating in the Americas – the Asian type- and was most likely imported from Brazil. This is the first time that the Zika strain responsible for the outbreaks linked to neurological disorders and microcephaly has been detected in Africa.
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.
