International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

041619 – World Status Report

April 17, 2019

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

  • Libya – GOV.AU. Do not travel to Libya. The security situation in Libya remains volatile due to ongoing armed conflict, a high risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping, an unpredictable political situation and a high crime rate. Unexploded ordnances, including landmines, are a hazard throughout Libya.
  • Turkey – U.S. Department of State. Reconsider travel to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Afghanistan – U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Afghanistan due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Sudan
    • U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Sudan due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
    • GC.CA. Avoid non-essential travel to Sudan due to the unstable security situation throughout the country. If you are in Sudan for non-essential reasons, consider leaving by commercial means if it is safe to do so.
    • GOV.UK. The FCO now advice against all but essential travel to Khartoum and all remaining areas of Sudan. Advice against all travel to Darfur, Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, parts of West Kordofan, and border areas remains unchanged. If you’re in Sudan, you should consider carefully whether your need to remain is essential and consider leaving the country by commercial means.
    • GOV.AU. Following the 11 April removal of President Bashir by the Sudanese military, Sudanese authorities have announced the imposition of a three month state of emergency and a one month curfew. Authorities have also adviced that border crossings will be closed until further notice. The state of emergency bans unauthorized public gatherings and gives security forces increased powers to arrest, restrict movement and seize assets. The situation in Sudan remains tense and protests continue. Avoid protests or large gatherings, observe curfews and follow the instructions of local authorities. If travelling outside Khartoum, seek information on the situation in the areas you will be travelling to or passing through before departing. Be alert and monitor media for the latest information about safety or security risks.
  • Syria – U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Syria due to  terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Venezuela – GOV.UK. The FCO continue to advice against all travel to within 80 km (50 miles) of the Colombian border and 40 km (25 miles) of the Brazilian border, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Venezuela, including Caracas. If you’re in Venezuela, you should consider carefully whether you need to remain, and keep your departure options under review.  Power cuts are common in Caracas and throughout Venezuela. You may find yourself without electricity, or water, for a prolonged period of time. Power cuts also affect mobile signals and internet. Caracas International Airport is often affected during power failures, causing flights to be delayed or cancelled. This could affect your ability to depart Venezuela.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Ethiopia – GOV.UK. There has been an increase in the level of reported crime against both expatriates and nationals in the Bole and Yeka hills areas of Addis Ababa. You should familiarize yourself with the geography if travelling in these areas and exercise caution. If threatened, hand over your valuables without resistance. Don’t travel alone in these areas if possible.

Demonstrations

  • Algeria – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Following the report of the presidential elections scheduled for April 2019 and recent developments, the Algerian president resigned and an interim president was appointed on April 9, 2019. Presidential elections are due to take place on July 4, 2019. Politically-motivated demonstrations and strikes may continue, especially in Algiers. You should take precautions for your personal safety, avoid political gatherings and demonstrations and take local advice.
  • Solomon Islands – GC.CA. General elections took place on April 3, 2019. Demonstrations could occur after the elections.
  • India – GOV.AU. General elections are scheduled to take place from 11 April to 23 May 2019. Exercise caution and avoid large gatherings

Health

  • Afghanistan and Pakistan – ECDC. Poliomyelitis. Since the CDTR published on 15 March 2019, three new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 have been reported in Pakistan (2) and Afghanistan (1). In addition, Nigeria has reported three new cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). On 19 February 2019, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee agreed that the spread of poliovirus remains a public health emergency of international concern and extended temporary recommendations for an additional three months.
  • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK – ECDC. Measles. In EU/EFTA countries, outbreaks continue in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the UK. New countries reporting cases were Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands. Most of the cases are reported from Romania (736), France (561), Poland (554), Lithuania (397) and Italy (331). In 2019, 4 deaths were reported in the EU in Romania (3) and France (1). Relevant updates outside EU/EFTA countries are provided for Belarus, Hong Kong, Japan, Madagascar, North Macedonia, the Philippines, Serbia, Tunisia, Ukraine and the US.
  • Bolivia – GOV.UK. The police have discovered widespread distribution of fake medicines in Bolivia. You should ask your travel agent, doctor or hotel for recommendations on reputable pharmacies.
  • Europe – ECDC. Influenza. Among 47 countries reporting on geographic spread, only 8 located in the northern, southern and western areas of the European Region reported widespread activity. Pooled data from 22 Member States and areas reporting to the EuroMOMO project indicated that the all-cause excess mortality observed in previous weeks has returned to normal levels.
  • France, Reunion – ECDC. Dengue. According to regional authorities and as of 31 March 2019, Reunion has detected approximately 5000 cases of dengue since the beginning of 2019.
  • Southern Africa – ECDC. Since the previous CDTR, Mozambique has reported more than 2 000 new cholera cases. A vaccination campaign for cholera has started in the affected areas of Mozambique.

Natural Disasters and Climate

  • Angola, Botswana, Congo, DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 5 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Australia – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 6 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Dominican Republic, Haiti – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 4 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Iran – GC.CA. Since late March 2019, heavy rainfall has been causing flooding in several parts of the country, resulting in many casualties. Some roads and bridges are impassable. The situation could severely disrupt essential services. The most-affected provinces are Golestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Ilam, and Fars (including Shiraz). If you are in Iran stay away from flooded areas, follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders and monitor local media, weather reports and social media to stay up-to-date on the current situation.
  • Iran – GOV.UK. Since the end of March, Iran has been affected by a prolonged period of unusually heavy rainfall. This has led to severe flooding across the country, causing landslides, flash torrents of water, and infrastructure damage. Most provinces have been affected, particularly Golestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Ilam, Fars (including Shiraz) and Lorestan. Iranian authorities have issued flood warnings for most provinces, including Tehran. Further heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast in the region. You should continue to monitor local and international weather updates and follow any advice given by the local authorities. Take care when driving and walking, keep a stock of food and bottled water, and make sure your phone is charged.
  • Zimbabwe – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Parts of Zimbabwe have been severely affected by tropical cyclone Idai. Idai made landfall near Beira City in central Mozambique, causing heavy rains, strong winds, and severe flooding. The provinces most affected by flooding in Mozambique are Sofala and Zambezia as well as the districts of Cuamba and Madimba in the province of Niassa. The provinces of Manica, Inhambane and Tete are also impacted. Southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe are also experiencing severe flooding due to cyclone Idai. Depending on your destination, there could be disruptions to the essential services like clean water and food supply, emergency services, medical care, sanitation, shelter and mosquito control. These conditions can lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases.  Whilst the access situation has improved, many roads and bridges in the affected areas are still impassable. Electricity, water, and telecommunications networks have been impacted. If travelling to affected regions, take extra care and follow any advice given by the local authorities. Contact your hotel prior to travel to check that the hotel is still accessible and open.

Other

  • China – GOV.UK. The 125th Canton Fair takes place from 15 April to 5 May in Guangzhou. If you’re travelling to China for the Canton Fair, review safety recommendations.
  • United Arab Emirates – GOV.AU. Between 16 April 2019 and 30 May 2019, Dubai International Airport (DXB) will refurbish a runway. Some flights to and from Dubai will operate from Dubai World Central Airport (DWC), also known as Al Maktoum International Airport. Contact your airline or tour operator for the latest updates.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Ebola. Since the previous CDTR, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 99 additional cases, including 69 deaths. All cases reported during this period are confirmed cases. Among the new reported cases in the past week, five are healthcare workers.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo  – WHO. The rise in number of Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases observed in the North Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues this week. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

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.