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

• The military offensive of non-state armed actor “M23” against the Congolese army (FARDC) has further intensified in Rutshuru territory in North Kivu province (ERCC). The Route Nationale 2, which connects North Kivu’s capital Goma with Uganda, is thereby de facto cut off. The fighting has created massive displacement with at least 40,000 people having fled their homes since 20 October 2022.
• On 29 October, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (ERCC), causing the blockage of around 200 vessels with grain. The UN, Turkey and Ukraine agreed a transit plan for 16 ships on 31 October.
• Somalia appeals for international help after twin blasts kill 100 (The EastAfrican). Bulldozers were continuing to clear the blast site in the capital Mogadishu on Monday in the hunt for bodies feared trapped under the rubble.
• Russian strikes hit Ukraine, most of Kyiv without water (Detroit News). A massive barrage of Russian strikes has hit critical infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities in Ukraine.
• Murder Record Broken in Northern Ecuador as Gang Feuds Fuel Violence (Insight Crime). Esmeraldas, a province in northern Ecuador, has seen a sharp rise in homicides this year as the city becomes a major drug trafficking hotspot and the epicenter of an ongoing gang war.
• 96,000 Haitians Displaced by Recent Gang Violence in Capital: IOM Report (iom.int). The number of people displaced by gang-related violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, has tripled in the past five months, according to a report published this week by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Demonstrations

• Iran plans public trials for 1,000 protesters in Tehran (AP). DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian authorities announced on Monday they will hold public trials for 1,000 people in the capital, Tehran, over the protests that have convulsed the country.

Gatherings

• India bridge collapse toll jumps to 134, police detain nine (Reuters on MSN.com). The death toll from a suspension bridge collapse in India rose to 134 on Monday, including many children, as police detained nine people as part of a criminal investigation into one of the deadliest accidents in the country in the past 10 years.
• Eight die in stampede at Fally Ipupa concert in DR Congo (AFP on MSN.com). A stampede left seven spectators and one police officer dead during a packed concert by African music star Fally Ipupa at the biggest stadium in DR Congo’s capital, the police chief told official press agency ACP on Sunday.
• Seoul Halloween crush shows gaps in Korean safety rules, experts say (The Washington Post on MSN.com). Government safety measures for Itaewon’s unofficial Halloween celebrations lacked the crowd control protocols required for official events.

Natural Disasters

• Due to heavy rainfall, most of the states in Nigeria are experiencing flooding (CDC). If you travel to Nigeria, obey all instructions from local authorities. Travelers should avoid contact with floodwater. Floodwater contains harmful germs that can cause disease, other contaminants, downed power lines, and sharp objects. Wash your hands after contact with floodwater.
• Tropical Cyclone NALGAE (PAENG in the Philippines) crossed the central-northern Philippines on 28-30 October (ERCC), bringing heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge that caused floods, landslides and severe weather-related incidents across most parts of the country.
• Over 100 dead, dozens missing in storm-ravaged Philippines (AP News). More than 100 people have died in one of the most destructive storms to lash the Philippines this year with dozens more feared missing after villagers fled in the wrong direction and got buried in a boulder-laden mudslide.
• A rock fall occurred in Agia Fotia village in the Ierapetra Municipality, in south-eastern Crete in southern Greece (ERCC), on 30 October that resulted in casualties and damage.

Health

• Since last week’s update, and as of 26 October 2022 (ECDC), European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries reported five human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection and no deaths related to WNV infections. Cases were reported by Greece (2), Spain (1), France (1) and Romania (1). EU-neighbouring countries reported eight human cases of WNV infection and one death related to WNV infections. Cases were reported by Serbia (8). One death was also reported by Serbia.
• As of 26 October 2022, and since the last update on 19 October 2022 (ECDC), two confirmed cases of diphtheria in migrants have been reported by the Netherlands, and three cases by Italy. New cases were also reported by Austria (5), Belgium (5), France (8) and the United Kingdom (9).
• The UN health agency WHO expressed serious concerns on Friday about a likely spike in a range of preventable diseases in Ethiopia’s northern regions (UN News) – and in particular Tigray – caused by nearly two years of conflict and chronic aid access problems.
• Tuberculosis (TB) deaths and infections rose during the COVID-19 pandemic (UN News), which disrupted access to treatment and support services, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Thursday.

Covid

• At the end of week 42, 2022 (week ending 23 October) (ECDC), small decreasing trends in the EU/EEA case rate, the case rate among people aged 65 years and older, and death rates were observed.
• Post COVID-19 condition may pose a threat to healthcare systems already stretched after the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (ECDC), and its management remains a challenge to healthcare providers.
• 15% of US COVID-19 survivors still have symptoms after a year (CIDRAP). Those who were vaccinated were less likely to report such symptoms, a new study finds.
• Shanghai district orders mass COVID-19 testing, lockdown (AP News). China’s largest city of Shanghai is ordering mass testing last Friday on all 1.3 million residents of its downtown Yangpu district and confining them to their homes at least until results are known.

Ebola

• As of 30 October, the Ministry of Health reports 129 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) confirmed cases in 7 districts (ERCC). Confirmed EVD deaths has increased to 37 with a Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) among confirmed cases of 29%. There have been 43 recoveries. 17 healthcare workers have been infected, 6 of whom died.

Monkeypox

• Since the last update on 18 October 2022, and as of 25 October 2022, 26 monkeypox (MPX) cases have been reported from 10 EU/EEA countries (ECDC): Spain (7), Ireland (5), Germany (4), Greece (2), the Netherlands (2), Sweden (2), Austria (1), Italy (1), Poland (1) and Romania (1)

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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