International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

100218 – World Status Report

October 2, 2018

When traveling on behalf of UT Dallas, set up your institutional safety net and prepare for an emergency as a standard step of all your travels.  Find more information in the Traveler Best Practices webpage.

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Iraq – U.S. Department of State. Level 4: Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism and armed conflict. Read the entire travel advisory.
  • Libya – GOV.UK. There remains a continuing high threat of kidnap from criminal groups, armed groups and terrorist groups across the whole of Libya. Security precautions do not mitigate the threat.

Natural Disaster

  • Indonesia – GDACS. On 9/28/2018 10:02:43 AM, an earthquake occurred in Indonesia potentially affecting 780000 people within 100km.
  • Indonesia – Government of Canada, GOV.UK, GDACS. On September 28, 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the central region of the island of Sulawesi, affecting the capital city of Palu and fishing village of Donggala. A tsunami hit the city of Palu. Aftershocks are still occurring, and could be felt for weeks. Casualty figures are still being assessed, with rescue and humanitarian relief operations on-going.  The earthquake has caused widespread damage to infrastructure and roads throughout the region. Palu Airport has been affected but remain operational. The ports of Pantoloan and Wani have been severely damaged. There are significant disruptions to the essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, and medical care. If you’re in or around the affected area, ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date and consider leaving using available commercial means. Verify your travel plans with your airline or tour operator. Monitor local media for the latest developments and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Indonesia – ISOS – International SOS deploys on-the-ground incident management team to Sulawesi.  The situation remains fluid and the authorities are currently faced with limitations in fully assessing the extent of the damage and disruption.
  • Nigeria – Government of Canada. Heavy rains and rising water levels have caused severe flooding in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, Adamawa and Jigawa states. There could be severe disruptions to the following essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, and medical care. Avoid any unnecessary travel through the affected areas. If you reside in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Taiwan – Government of Canada. Typhoon Trami passed north of Taiwan on September 28, 2018. The typhoon brought excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care. Avoid any unnecessary travel through the affected area. If you reside in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Japan – Government of Canada, GOV.UK. Typhoon Trami is expected to pass over Okinawa islands starting on September 28, 2018 and make its way to Kagoshima prefecture on or around September 30, 2018. The storm will continue its path towards the northeast and could affect all regions of Japan until October 2, 2018. The typhoon is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, and medical care. If you will be in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services including any evacuation orders.
  • Philippines – Government of Canada. Typhoon Mangkhut swept Northern Luzon, north of Santiago, and the Batanes and Babuyan Islands as a category 5 typhoon on September 14, 2018. The typhoon brought excessive rainfall, violent winds and landslides. There have been significant disruptions to infrastructure, including power distribution. If you reside in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities including evacuation orders. Contact your travel agent or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel arrangements.

Demonstrations

  • Nigeria – Government of Canada. Presidential elections are due to take place in February 2019. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.
  • Peru – Government of Canada. On September 21, 2018, the Federation of Coca Growers began a strike in Quillabamba, blocking the alternate route to Machu Picchu until further notice. Avoid travelling to Machu Picchu via Santa Maria, Santa Teresa and Hidroelectrica. Contact your travel agent or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel arrangements.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Jamaica – Government of Canada. In the context of the Government of Jamaica’s efforts to counter criminal activity, local authorities have declared a state of emergency for Kingston Central, Kingston Western and St. Andrew South. This is in addition to the existing state of emergency for the areas St. James Parish, including Montego Bay and St. Catherine Parish, with a focus on Spanish Town, Linstead and Bog Walk. Joint police-military forces have been deployed to these areas to conduct operations to address organized crime and gang activity and to restore public peace. If you are staying at a resort in an affected area, restrict your movements beyond resort security perimeters. If you decide to travel outside these perimeters, use transportation arranged or provided by the resort. Use organized tour operators for excursions and travel to and from the airport. Remain extremely vigilant at all times, follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local news.
  • Netherlands – U.S. Department of State. Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in the Netherlands due to terrorism. Terrorists continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Read the entire travel advisory.
  • Netherlands – GOV.UK. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the Netherlands. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should be vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities. On 31 August 2018, two foreign tourists were seriously injured in a knife attack at Amsterdam Central Station.

Demonstrations

  • Eswatini – Government of Canada. Demonstrations could occur in reaction to the results of the September 21, 2018 elections.Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information.
  • Argentina – Government of Canada. Demonstrations, roadblocks and strikes may occur throughout the country at any time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations. Never attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended.
  • Zimbabwe – Government of Canada. Local authorities have launched a sweep of the Central Business District of Harare to remove unlicensed vendors from the streets. This has caused demonstrations and riot police were deployed on the weekend of September 22, 2018. While the situation is currently calm, even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.
  • Macedonia – GOV.UK. Political rallies and demonstrations could occur around a referendum on 30 September; you should check local media for the latest information, be vigilant, and avoid any large crowds and gatherings.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Portugal – Government of Canada. Tourists staying in rental homes have been the victims of break-ins and burglaries. Choose well-secured homes and avoid unsavory neighborhoods. Whether you are staying in private or commercial accommodations, make sure you lock windows and doors securely at night and when you are away.

Natural Disaster

  • Greece – GOV.UK. Localized or severe weather extremes can affect areas of Greece over the extended summer period and this can at times cause travel disruption; you should monitor local and international weather updates and follow advice of local authorities.

Health

  • Monkeypox – ECDC. On 26 September 2018, the UK reported an additional case of monkeypox. The case was involved in the care of the case in Blackpool Victoria Hospital before monkeypox was diagnosed.
  • West Nile Virus – ECDC. Between 21 and 27 September 2018, EU Member States reported 132 human West Nile virus infections in Greece (37), Italy (42), Hungary (23), Romania (21), Croatia (8) and Bulgaria (1). EU neighbouring countries reported 34 cases, all in Serbia. In four areas, human cases were reported for the first time: Croatia (2), Bulgaria (1) and Serbia (1). All other human cases were reported from areas that have been affected during previous transmission seasons. This week, 9 deaths were reported by Romania (5), Greece (2), Bulgaria (1) and Italy (1).
  • Chikungunya – ECDC. The virus is widespread in the Americas, with several countries reporting cases in 2018. Additionally, since the last report, new cases have also been detected in Thailand. Since the previous CDTR update on 24 August 2018, a new outbreak has been reported in Sudan and WHO has declared that the outbreak in Kenya is under control. No outbreaks have been identified in Europe and the Australia and Pacific region since the previous report.
  • Dengue – ECDC. Compared with the same period in 2017, Paraguay, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan and Bangladesh have observed an increasing trend in the number of cases.

Other

  • Sudan – Government of Canada. There is a shortage of fuel in many areas of Sudan outside Khartoum. If you must travel by road, make sure you have enough fuel for the entire trip.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Over the past week, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 11 additional cases in Beni (8), Tchomia (2) and Mabalako (1). Additionally, since the last CDTR, a new health zone in Ituri has reported confirmed cases. The first case reported in this newly affected health zone, Tchomia, had an epidemiological link with a confirmed case in Beni. As of 26 September 2018, there have been 154 Ebola virus disease cases (123 confirmed, 31 probable), including 101 deaths (70 confirmed, 31 probable), since the beginning of the outbreak.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. The response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a critical juncture. While substantial progress has been made, the situation is precarious given recent increases in insecurity, incidents of community reluctance and geographical spread. There have been a number of incidents in recent days, notably in Beni, which have led to loss of life among the local communities. WHO response activities have been severely limited as Beni and other towns mark a period of mourning for those who were killed. Security in Beni and other areas remains challenging.
  • Uganda – GOV.UK. On 1 August 2018, an outbreak of Ebola was declared in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Ugandan authorities have put in place additional screening measures at Entebbe airport and the districts of Kasese, Hoima, Ntoroko, Kanungu, Bundibugyo Kisoro and Kabarole in western and south-western Uganda which border North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The latest updates can be found on the WHO’s website.

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.