030818 – World Status Report

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Cuba

• Cuba – U.S. Department of State. Reconsider travel to Cuba due to attacks targeting U.S. Embassy Havana employees resulting in the drawdown of embassy staff.  The U.S. Embassy in Havana is operating with reduced staffing and, as result, has limited ability to assist U.S. citizens, particularly outside Havana.
• Cuba – GOV.UK. Hotels on the central northern coast damaged by Hurricane Irma are beginning to reopen after repairs; if you’re planning to travel to the area, you should liaise with your tour operator or hotel to find out if services are back to normal.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Brazil

• Yellow Fever in Brazil – CDC. There is a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in multiple states of Brazil. Travelers to Brazil should protect themselves from yellow fever by getting yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before travel, and preventing mosquito bites.
• Brazil – GOV.UK. Health section and summary – updated information on cases of yellow fever in Brazil; Rio de Janeiro state authorities recommend that all visitors to the state, including to the island of Ilha Grande, are vaccinated against yellow fever.

Nigeria

• Lassa Fever in Nigeria – CDC. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control has reported an ongoing outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria that began in early 2018. The outbreak has been confirmed in at least 17 states with over 40 deaths reported. Most cases have been found in Edo and Ondo in southwest Nigeria states.  Lassa fever is a disease that is spread primarily by rats. Travelers to Nigeria should avoid contact with rats, especially rat urine and feces, and keep their accommodations or campsites clean.
• Nigeria – WHO.  The current Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria shows an increasing trend in the number of cases and deaths in recent weeks with 317 confirmed cases reported in 2018 so far. This is the largest outbreak of Lassa fever ever reported in Nigeria. The reporting of confirmed cases in different parts of the country and porous borders with neighbouring countries indicate a risk of spread nationally and to neighbouring countries. An overall moderate level of risk remains at the regional level.
• Nigeria – GOV.UK. Safety and security section (Crime) and summary – revised information and advice about criminal intent to target areas around international hotels in Abuja; it is likely that potential attacks would be carried out by armed gangs; at this time of heightened threat, avoid loitering outside hotel security cordons and be extra vigilant when travelling in their vicinity.

Burkina Faso

• Burkina Faso – U.S. Department of State.  Reconsider travel to Burkina Faso due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
• Burkina Faso – Government of Canada. On March 2, 2018, multiple attacks occurred in Ouagadougou.  If you are in Ouagadougou: Limit your movements, follow the instructions of local authorities, monitor local media (including social media).

Mexico

• Mexico – Government of Canada. On March 7, 2018, the United States embassy in Mexico City issued a Security Alert advising American citizens that “‎the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City received information about a security threat in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Effective immediately, U.S. Government employees are prohibited from traveling to Playa del Carmen until further notice. The U.S. Consular Agency in Playa del Carmen will be closed until further notice.‎” Continue to exercise a high degree of caution in Playa del Carmen.  On February 21, 2018, an explosive device detonated on a popular tourist ferry in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. The explosion injured over twenty individuals, including tourists. On March 1, 2018, local authorities found another explosive device on a ferry also operating out of Playa del Carmen. Some cruise lines have cancelled excursions using ferry services in Playa del Carmen. Avoid tourist ferries travelling in the region until further notice, be vigilant and monitor local media (including social media).
• Mexico – GOV.UK.  Safety and security section (Main tourist destinations) and summary – updated information and advice on safety and security following detonation of an explosive device on a tourist ferry operating between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel on 21 February.

Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka – Government of Canada. Increasing inter-communal and religious tensions have led to recent violence in the Ampara and Kandy districts. On March 6, 2018, the Sri Lankan Government declared a 7-day state of emergency throughout the country. Authorities may impose curfews and other measures in response to further incidents to ensure safety and security. Access to some social media networks has been restricted. Comply with security instructions of local authorities, avoid large gatherings and monitor local media for the latest developments.
• Sri Lanka – GOV.UK. On 6 March 2018 the Sri Lankan government announced a nationwide state of emergency in response to recent incidents of inter-communal violence in Ampara and on 7 March, an “indefinite” police curfew was imposed in the Kandy administrative region. The state of emergency may include curfews in specific locations across the country.  While the curfew does not impose restrictions on tourist activities, we are aware of some reports of tourists being caught up in movement restrictions. There are no reports that major tourist areas elsewhere in Sri Lanka have been affected, and Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo is operating as normal. You should exercise caution, avoid protests and rallies, and comply with local security requirements.

Other countries

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO.  Since the end of November 2017, Kinshasa province has been facing an outbreak of cholera.  The risk of this outbreak spreading to neighbouring countries is considered high due to regular population movement and the risk at the global level was assessed to be low.  WHO does not recommend any restriction on travel and trade to the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the information available on the current outbreak. The use of microbiologically safe drinking water and implementation of general hygiene practices and other preventive measures listed in this article should be sufficient to prevent the disease.
• Ethiopia – Government of Canada.  The Government of Ethiopia declared the state of emergency on February 16, 2018. Restrictions on gatherings and curfews could be imposed. Telecommunications could be disrupted. There may be roadblocks in parts of the country including on roads leading to Addis Ababa. There may be rotating strikes in various areas of the country, with little warning. Monitor the media and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• New Caledonia – Government of Canada. Tropical cyclone Hola is expected to pass by the Loyalty Islands on March 9, 2018. It is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds, which may cause flash flooding and landslides.
• Maldives – Government of Canada. On February 5, 2018, the Maldives government declared a state of emergency due to political developments. Recent protests led to clashes with police in central Malé. Further protests and clashes are possible and could lead to violence. If you are in Malé, be vigilant at all times, avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Indonesia – Government of Canada. The Balinese New Year (Nyepi) will take place on March 17, 2018. There will be no incoming or outgoing flights from the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar from 6 a.m. on March 17 to 6 a.m. on March 18. Transit flights will still arrive and depart as scheduled; however, transit passengers will be required to stay inside the airport during this period. Harbours around Bali will be closed. Locals and tourists are required to observe 24 hours of silence and remain indoors with the lights off. Nyepi is an important cultural event for the people of Bali and you are urged to be sensitive and strictly observe local customs to avoid offending the local population. If in doubt, seek local advice.
• Azerbaijan – GOV.UK. Safety and security section (Political situation) and summary – presidential elections will take place on 11 April 2018; the campaign period begins on 12 March; the political situation in Azerbaijan is generally calm, but demonstrations and opposition rallies do take place from time to time; you should stay away from large gatherings and remain vigilant.
• Papua New Guinea – GOV.UK. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Highlands of Papua New Guinea on Monday 26 February; there has been significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and telecommunications;  Komo Airport has been closed; for further information on how your travel plans may be affected, you should contact your airline or tour operator.
• Philippines – GOV.UK. Eruptive activity of the Mayon volcano has reduced and the Philippines authorities have lowered the alert to level 3; an exclusion zone remains in place and you should continue to follow developments on the PHIVOLCS website.  Local laws and customs section – The Philippines is generally a tolerate and progressive place for LGBT travellers, although some stigma exists outside urban centres. Current legislation does not recognise same-sex unions. Same-sex relationships are not criminalised by law in the Philippines, but overt public displays of affection may be considered a ‘grave scandal’ under the Revised Penal Code, and can result in imprisonment for up to 6 months.

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.