030519 – World Status Report

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

• Myanmar – GC.CA. Avoid non-essential travel to areas along the borders with Thailand, China, Laos, Bangladesh and India, including towns along the border and authorized land border crossings due to clashes between the military and armed groups, ethnic and religious conflict, banditry and unmarked landmines. Avoid non-essential travel to the following states, due to the risk of serious civil unrest Kachin State, Northern Shan State, Rakhine State, except for the tourist resort of Ngapali and travel between the resort and Thandwe airport.
• Nigeria – GC.CA. Avoid non-essential travel to Nigeria, with a few exceptions (see below). The security situation throughout the country is unpredictable, and there is a significant risk of terrorism, crime, inter-communal clashes, armed attacks and kidnappings. Avoid all travel to the following regions the northern and Middle Belt states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Yobe, due to the high risk of terrorism, inter-communal violence and kidnapping. The Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers (with the exception of Rivers’ capital city, Port Harcourt, where we advise against non-essential travel), due to the unstable security situation and the heightened risk of kidnapping.
• Ukraine – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Ukraine due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Do not travel to: Crimea due to arbitrary detentions and other abuses by Russian occupation authorities; nor to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, especially the non-government-controlled areas, due to armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Colombia – GC.CA. Avoid non-essential travel to Cucuta. Avoid all travel to the following areas due to the risk of kidnapping and violent crime posed by the presence of illegal armed groups and other criminal organizations the area within 20 km of the border with Venezuela the area within 20 km of the border with Panama, the area within 20 km of the border with Ecuador and Buenaventura and Tumaco ports. The land border with Venezuela is closed until further notice. Since the beginning of February 2019, violent protests and clashes have been taking place near the border with Venezuela, including in the city of Cúcuta. Avoid the area.
• Venezuela – GOV.AU, GC.CA, GOV.UK – Venezuela has closed its land borders with Brazil and Colombia and maritime borders with Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire until further notice.  Flights to and from those islands are suspended until further notice.  The political and economic situation remains very unstable. Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active along the border area with Colombia and Brazil and there is a risk of kidnapping. Monitor local media and follow the advice of authorities. We continue to advise you not to travel to Venezuela.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• United States – GOV.UK. A tornado outbreak hit Alabama, Georgia, the Florida panhandle and parts of South Carolina on 3 March 2019, with reports of at least 24 people killed in Lee County, Alabama. The Governor of Alabama has declared a state of emergency as rescue efforts are underway. Power outages are occurring in localised areas. If you’re in an affected area, you should follow the advice of the local authorities and familiarize yourself with information from the US National Weather Service on what to do during and after a tornado.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• Tanzania – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Tanzania due to crime, terrorism, and targeting of LGBTI persons. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
• Pakistan – GOV.AU, GC.CA. As recent tensions between India and Pakistan reduce, international and domestic flights across Pakistan that were suspended have partially resumed. Contact your airline for the latest information. Continue to monitor local media for developments, as the security situation remains tense, and  follow the instructions of local authorities.
• India – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Following a terrorist attack in Pulwama on 14 February, there are heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir; there may be disruption to air travel in Jammu and Kashmir and northern India at short notice; you should continue to exercise caution, monitor news reports,  contact your airline to confirm your flight’s schedule, and follow the advice of local authorities.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Guatemala – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Guatemala due to  crime. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
• Sudan – GC.CA. Civil unrest has been occurring in many parts of the country, notably in Khartoum, Atbara, Dammer, Barbar and Port Sudan since December 19, 2018, due to the latest economic tensions. On February 22, 2019, the Sudanese President announced the imposition of a countrywide state of emergency for a period of one year. This announcement bans unlicensed public gatherings. Security forces were also given increased powers to search any building, restrict movement of people and public transport, arrest individuals suspected of a crime related to the state of emergency and seize assets or property during investigations.
• The Bahamas – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, is common, even during the day and in tourist areas. Although the family islands are not crime-free, the vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to visit the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime. Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercraft are often not maintained, and many companies do not have safety certifications to operate in The Bahamas. Jet-ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists. As a result, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
• Guinea-Bissau – U.S. Department of State. Reconsider travel to Guinea-Bissau due to elections, crime, and civil unrest. Legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau are scheduled for March 10, 2019. The election date may be subject to change. The risk of violence is heightened during election periods, and in recent elections, some election-related demonstrations have resulted in violence. The Bissau-Guinean government may impose travel restrictions as the elections approach, sometimes without notice, which may affect travel plans. Expect additional police and military checkpoints and possible road blocks throughout the country during elections. Regular road travel is prohibited on election day, and stores will be closed.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.
• Peru – GC.CA. On February 19, 2019, the Peruvian Government declared a state of emergency for 60 days in the districts of Tambopata, Inambari, Las Piedras and Laberinto in the province of Madre de Dios. This is due to an ongoing security operation against illegal gold mining in the region. Consequently, some civil rights have been suspended. Be cautious if you are in this region. Expect a heightened security presence. Allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Sudan – GOV.UK. On 22 February 2019, President Omar Al Bashir announced a year-long state of emergency across Sudan, in response to ongoing protests which started in mid-December 2018; on 31 January 2019 the border between Sudan and Eritrea was reopened, having been closed since January 2018.

Demonstrations

• Albania – GOV.UK. Opposition parties held a major demonstration in central Tirana on 16 February 2019; the Opposition has announced that weekly protests will take place outside parliament every Thursday, and that another major protest will be held in central Tirana on Saturday 16 March; you should check the local media for the latest information, remain vigilant and avoid any demonstrations.
• Algeria – GC.CA, GOV.UK  Demonstrations have taken place across Algeria. Demonstrations and other forms of protest may continue to take place throughout the country in the run up to the Presidential elections on 18 April 2019. Demonstrations and strikes are causing road closures and traffic delays throughout the country. They are expected to continue. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Monitor local media for the latest information.
• Lebanon – GOV.UK. On 25 February 2019 the UK Government announced that it will ask Parliament to proscribe the political wing of Hizballah under the 2000 Terrorism Act; Hizballah is a Lebanese political party and armed group; following the announcement, you should avoid large crowds, gatherings, and any related protests or demonstrations, check local media and keep up to date with travel advice.
• Nigeria – GOV.UK. Presidential and National Assembly elections took place on 23 February; Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections are due on 9 March 2019. Throughout the electoral period, protests in Abuja and Nigerian states including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos and Rivers are of particular concern. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced results of the elections. President Buhari has been elected for a second term. This result, and some results from the National Assembly elections, may be disputed and legal challenges may begin. Tensions continue to run high throughout Nigeria and public gatherings and demonstrations may take place at short notice and have the potential to turn violent. You should continue to avoid rallies, public gatherings and demonstrations and monitor local media.
• Senegal – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Presidential elections were held on February 24, 2019. Preliminary results were announced on February 28, 2019. The Constitutional Council will issue final results. Demonstrations could occur in reaction to the announcement of the results. 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 the latest information.

Health

• Fiji – CDC. There is an outbreak of leptospirosis in Fiji. Travelers should avoid contact with potentially contaminated fresh water (such as lakes and rivers in the affected area) while swimming, wading, kayaking, or rafting.
• France – ECDC. Rift Valley fever (RVF). According to Santé publique France and as of 21 February 2019, 42 new human cases have been reported in Mayotte since the last CDTR published on 1 February 2019. From 22 November 2018 to 21 February 2019, 63 human cases were confirmed in Mayotte, with no deaths reported to date. The majority (79%) of cases are male and with a median age of 38 years and age range of 10 – 74 years. Since the beginning of the outbreak, 36 cases have been investigated and declared having direct or indirect contact with animals (26), consuming raw or curdled milk (15) and not having had contact with animals nor living close to farms (5).
• France, Réunion – ECDC. Dengue. According to regional health authorities, Réunion has reported 929 cases of dengue since the beginning of 2019 and as of 17 February 2019. According to Santé publique France, the epidemic is expanding and reaching areas that have not previously been affected.
• India – CDC. An outbreak of Zika has been reported in India. Zika is endemic (regularly found) in India. However, there is an unusual increase in the number of Zika cases in Rajasthan and surrounding states. Pregnant women should NOT travel to areas with Zika outbreaks. 
• India – ECDC. Legionnaires. According to the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), seven cases of Legionnaires disease have been reported among British travelers returning from Goa, India as of November 2018, representing a small increase of cases compared with previous years.
• Indonesia – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in Indonesia. CDC recommends that all travelers to Indonesia be vaccinated fully against polio. Before traveling to Indonesia, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine. The current outbreak in Indonesia is caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus, a sign of low polio vaccine coverage in the country. WHO. On 12 February, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) case has been confirmed in Papua province, Indonesia.
• Japan – CDC. There is an outbreak of measles in Japan. Travelers to Japan should make sure they are vaccinated against measles with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine.
• Saudi Arabia, Oman – ECDC. MERS-CoV. In 2019 and as of 27 February 2019, 89 MERS-CoV cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia (79) and Oman (10). There were also 19 deaths in Saudi Arabia (15) and Oman (4). In Saudi Arabia, 30 cases were primary (15 of whom reported contact with camels), 31 were healthcare-acquired and 18 were household contacts. The majority of the cases in Saudi Arabia (81%) were reported in Wadi Aldwasir (50) and Riyadh (14).
• Europe – ECDC. Influenza. From 18 – 24 February 2019, influenza activity was widespread in the European Region.
• Kenya, Zambia, Yemen, Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Cholera. Since the last CDTR update on 18 January 2019, new cholera cases have been reported worldwide and countries such as Kenya and Zambia have reported new cholera outbreaks. Countries reporting the majority of new cases since the previous update are Yemen (54 530 cases, 49 deaths), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3 451 cases, 86 deaths) and Kenya (843 cases, 3 deaths). Additionally, WHO has closed the events for cholera outbreaks in Angola and Nigeria during this period.
• Saudi Arabia – WHO. On 6 February 2019, the National IHR Focal Point of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WHO of an ongoing outbreak of MERS-CoV infection in Wadi Aldwasir city and one of its hospitals (referred to as Hospital A). Between 29 January and 13 February 2019, 39 cases of MERS-CoV infection, including four deaths, were reported. At the time of writing, this outbreak remains ongoing. Human-to-human transmission has occurred between the index patient and health care workers, patients in the emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) of Hospital A, and from patients to household contacts. As of 13 February, nine health care workers have been infected. Descriptions of the outbreak are based on information WHO has received as of 13 February 2019; further updates will be provided as they become available.

Law and Culture

• Eritrea – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Eritrea due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, and landmines. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Eritrea. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Other

• Egypt – GOV.UK . There have been a number of fatal accidents in recent years. On 27 February 2019, a train collided with a platform in Cairo, killing at least 22 people. On 11 August 2017, two trains collided in Alexandria, killing at least 36 people. On 28 February 2017, two trains collided and killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more in Beheira province, close to Cairo. Suspect devices have been found at train stations and on the rail network. Although several of these have been hoaxes or false alarms, you should remain vigilant.
• Solomon Islands – GOV.UK, GOV.AU. On 5 February, a bulk carrier vessel ran aground in Kangava Bay on Rennell Island; the surrounding area has been affected by the resulting fuel leakage, which has not yet been controlled; you should take local advice on precautions if visiting affected coastal areas.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 4 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Australia – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 2 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Dominican Republic, Haiti – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – CDC. There is an outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu (Kivu Nord) and Ituri provinces in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The outbreak is in a part of the country identified by the U.S. State Department as a “do not travel” zone because of armed group activities and major outbreaks of violence targeting civilians. The armed conflict and violence in the outbreak area is hampering response activities including early identification of cases, and monitoring of “contacts” (people who may have been exposed to Ebola). Travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come into contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, or red eyes during or after travel. CDC has provided recommendations for US health care workers and sponsoring organizations to ensure workers are healthy when they return to the United States.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Ebola. Since the previous CDTR, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 32 additional cases, including 24 additional deaths, among confirmed cases. During this period, one case has been notified in Mandima health zone, where the last confirmed case was reported in early December 2018. On 22 February 2019, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a confirmed case in Beni health zone after 23 days without confirmation of cases in the area. The case was the partner of a recovered case and likely exposed to his body fluids. According to the Ministry of Health update released on 26 February 2019, one confirmed case listed in Katwa fled to Lubero health zone and died in Lubero General Hospital. Up until then, the health zone had never reported a confirmed case. Furthermore, Katwa has surpassed Beni as the health zone reporting the largest number of cases and deaths since the last CDTR update.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is continuing with moderate intensity. Katwa and Butembo remain the major health zones of concern, while simultaneously, small clusters continue to occur in various geographically dispersed locations. During the last 21 days (6 – 26 February 2019), 77 new cases have been reported from 33 health areas within nine health zones (Figure 1), including: Katwa (45), Butembo (19), Vuhovi (4), Kyondo (3), Kalunguta (2), Oicha (1), Beni (1), Mandima (1), and Rwampara (1)

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.