World Status Report

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

More health and security information for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, and the CDC, ECDC, and WHO sites. Not all advise in these sites will apply to US travelers.

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

• Myanmar. Dozens of satellite images, reviewed by Reuters, show widespread torching of villages in the central part of Myanmar. The photos, largely confirming the local media reports, are among the strongest evidence to date that the military is using widespread arson to step up its assault on resistance in the central Sagaing region, where residents have told Reuters there is armed opposition to the junta (Reuters).
• Gaza Strip. Tensions on the ground in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory are heading towards a large-scale eruption this Ramadan, analysts expect, as residents of the besieged Gaza Strip fear yet another war (Al Jazeera).
• Nigeria. The death toll from attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state has soared to 154 and an estimated 4,800 people have fled their homes fearing further violence (Al Jazeera).
• Benin. Five soldiers were killed in national park attack. The attack is the latest in a string of deadly attacks in northern Benin by groups linked with al-Qaeda and ISIL (Al Jazeera English on MSN.com).

Natural Disasters

• South Africa. In the past days, heavy rainfall caused several landslides and flooding across KwaZulu-Natal Province (eastern South Africa). Reports note that at least 306 people have died. Widespread damage has affected buildings and transportation infrastructure, while several municipalities have been affected by electricity and water disruptions (ERCC).
• Philippines. The number of deaths due to floods and landslides triggered by Tropical Storm MEGI reached 76 people (most of them in the Eastern Visayas Region). In addition, 29 people are still missing, eight others have been injured, approximately 204,000 displaced and more than 920,700 affected. Furthermore, 354 houses have been damaged or destroyed, 270 roads and 12 bridges affected (ERCC).
• Georgia. Severe weather, including strong winds, was reported on 12 April in Georgia, leading to casualties and material damage, particularly in the area of Tbilisi Capital City and Gori City (ERCC).
• United States. Strong winds and tornadoes have been affecting the Southern to Northern Plains and the Lower to Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes (central-northern, central-southern and north-eastern USA) over the past few days, leading to casualties and damage (ERCC).

Health

• United Kingdom. An increase in acute hepatitis referrals among young children has been observed in specialist liver disease centres across the UK. As of 12 April 2022, a total of 74 cases are under investigation. Currently, there is no clear connection between the reported cases. No obvious epidemiological risk factors have been identified among the cases. There is no known association with travel (ECDC).
• Australia. A rare outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Australia has infected 34 people and killed three. Public health professionals say the appearance of Japanese encephalitis here is just the latest example of how global warming is contributing to the spread of disease (WaPo).

Migration

• Ukraine. According to the United Nations, between 24 February and 11 April 2022, the total number of people fleeing Ukraine reached 4 615 830. The number of displaced Ukrainians crossing the border to neighbouring countries has stabilised over the last few weeks (ECDC).

COVID-19

• International preventative measures against COVID-19, including entry restrictions and in-country mobility remain fluid, and can be imposed without prior notice.  The UNWTO and IATA Destination Tracker offers relevant information on a destination status. The Timeline of EU Member States Reopening Their Borders offers a list of opened EU countries for travelers, and dates of warned opening. The University Vaccine Requirement Checker notes universities that require a COVID-19 Vaccine.
• Global cases and deaths can be found in the Johns Hopkins University website and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard.
• Vaccination campaigns around the world continue. Find the latest numbers on vaccinations rates at Our World in Data website and the WHO COVID-19 dashboard.

Of note:

• China.  Shanghai reported over 27k coronavirus cases on Thursday, a new high, a day after President Xi Jingping said that the country must continue with its strict “dynamic COVID clearance” policy and pandemic control measures (Reuters).

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.

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