International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

081216 – World Status Report

August 12, 2016

Avoid Nonessential Travel

U.S. Department of State

  • North Korea Travel Warning. The State Department strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea’s system of law enforcement, which imposes unduly harsh sentences, including for actions that in the United States would not be considered crimes and which threaten U.S. citizen detainees with being treated in accordance with “wartime law of the DPRK.

Take Enhanced Precautions

U.S. Department of State

  • Honduras Travel Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Honduras and recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all travel to remote areas Choluteca , Olancho , Colon, and Copan departments because criminals operate with a high degree of impunity throughout the country.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Warning: The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of ongoing instability and sporadic violence, including armed robbery, murder, and kidnapping, in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu; the new provinces of Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele and Ituri (northeastern part of the former Oriental Province); and Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami (northeastern and central parts of the former province of Katanga).

Security Messages for U.S. Citizens

  • (Tbilisi) Georgia, Recent Reports of Sexual Assault: U.S. Embassy Tbilisi informs U.S. citizens that it has recently received several reports from victims of harassment and sexual assault in Tbilisi. Reported incidents have included verbal harassment and intimidating advances, unwanted touching and groping, and sexual assault, including rape. U.S. Embassy encourages to take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, remain aware of your surroundings, and be aware of the risk of sexual assault while traveling.
  • Ankara (Turkey), State of Emergency:  The U.S. Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to carry identity documents with them at all times and to cooperate with Turkish authorities because authority of security forces in stopping, searching, and validating the identification documents of individuals.
  • Burundi Travel Warning: The U.S. Embassy continues to warn U.S. citizens of political violence persisting throughout Burundi in the aftermath of the country’s contested elections. Travel in Burundi presents significant risks, especially after nightfall.

Zika News

CDC

  • Zika virus advisory.  Local mosquito transmission of Zika virus infection (Zika) has been reported in Cayman Islands . Local mosquito transmission means that mosquitoes in the area are infected with Zika virus and are spreading it to people.  For a list of all Zika virus travel notices by region, visit the CDC Zika travel information.
  • 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

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.