World Status Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other issues as reported by the linked official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

Please note the publication date of this report, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Security

In Mozambique the conflict is dangerously escalating and the number of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance is growing (ERCC).  In Somalia the 2021 Presidential elections remain delayed. A spike in violence is likely to correspond with the electoral process, including possible attempts to disrupt the elections. (GOV.AU).

Natural Disasters

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines the La soufrière volcano continues its activity and around 20,000 people are expected to be displaced, and airports have been temporarily closed (ERCC). In Australia the Tropical Cyclone SEROJA landed on 11 April damaging some infrastructure across coastal towns (ERCC).

Health

Nigeria reports outbreaks of influenza A(H5N1) in poultry and human cases of influenza A(H5) (ECDC). Guinea reports two new confirmed Ebola cases and three probable cases, including three deaths, as well as two suspect cases not in isolation. All cases are being reported from the Soulota sub-prefecture in the N’Zerekore region (ECDC). Laos reports their first case of avian influenze A(H5N6), no other cases have been reported. (ECDC).  Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates report three MERS-CoV cases, including one death (ECDC).  Bangladesh and Yemen are currently the countries reporting the most new cholera cases (ECDC).

COVID-19

International preventative measures against COVID-19, including entry restrictions and in-country mobility remain very fluid, and can be imposed without prior notice. Details for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. 

As notable cases: Bangladesh has implemented a country-wide lockdown and suspension of inbound and outbound commercial passenger flights from 14 to 20 April. These measures may be extended (GOV.AU). There’s a ban on all non-essential travel into the Czech Republic, and you must wear either FFP2 or N95 face masks in public (GOV.AU).  England reopens shops and some pubs and restaurants after three months of lockdown (NYT).

Globally, as of 12 April, Johns Hopkins University counts 136,174,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,983,740 deaths, and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard reports as of 12 April 135,446,538 cases and 2,927,922 deaths. 

As notable cases: India is entering a worrying second wave as millions of people travel across India for the Kumbh Mela, a major Hindu festival and the largest pilgrimage on Earth (CNN). Thailand is facing its worst coronavirus outbreak just as millions of people head to their home provinces during the country’s biggest travel holiday (NYT).

Vaccination campaigns around the world continue.  As of 11 April, Our World in Data reports over 788 million administered vaccine doses globally. The WHO COVID-19 dashboard as of 08 April reports over 669 million administered vaccine doses.

As notable cases: Japan will secure 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by the end of June, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Monday (CNN). The efficacy of Chinese Covid-19 vaccines is “not high” and authorities are weighing options to bolster protection, China‘s top disease control official has said (CNN). Australia will not vaccinate its entire population by the end of the year, following new recommendations on which vaccines to use with different age groups (NYT).

Risk Levels

Countries risk levels remain high as reported by the CDC and the U.S. Department of State.

CDC COVID-19 Levels, last update on April 05

# Countries	Risk Level
152	Level 4: COVID-19 Very High (avoid all travel)
21	Level 3: COVID-19 High (avoid all non-essential travel)
17	Level 2: COVID-19 Moderate (travelers at increased risk for severe illness, avoid all non-essential travel)
30	Level 1: COVID-19 Low (take steps to mitigate risks before, during, and after travel)
25	Level Unknown: COVID-19 Unknown (avoid all non-essential travel)

U.S. Department of State Levels, last update on April 12

# Countries	Risk Level
33	Level 4: Do Not Travel
153	Level 3: Reconsider Travel
22	Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
3	Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Please note the revision date (mmddyy) of this report, printed on the title of the post, and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.