080217 – World Status Report

Avoid Nonessential Travel

U.S. Department of State

• Somalia Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Somalia because of widespread terrorist and criminal activity.
• Venezuela Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to Venezuela due to social unrest, violent crime, and pervasive food and medicine shortages.
• Republic of South Sudan Travel Warning. The U.S. State Department warns U.S. citizens against travel to the Republic of South Sudan because of ongoing fighting, intercommunal violence, and violent crime.
• Philippines Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the city of Marawi, Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago including the southern Sulu Sea, and to exercise extreme caution when traveling to other regions of Mindanao, due to terrorist threats, insurgent activities, and kidnappings.
• Mali Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Mali due to ongoing terrorist attacks, criminal violence, and potential political instability.

Take Enhanced Precautions

CDC

• Yellow Fever in Brazil. The Brazilian Ministry of Health has reported an ongoing outbreak of yellow fever. In response to this outbreak, health authorities have recently expanded the list of areas in which yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers.
• Polio in Nigeria. The Nigerian Ministry of Health has reported several cases of poliovirus in the state of Borno in northeastern Nigeria. CDC recommends that all travelers to Nigeria be fully vaccinated against polio. Because of the risk of cross-border transmission, CDC recommends a one-time booster dose of polio vaccine for fully vaccinated adults traveling to Niger, Cameroon, or Chad to work in healthcare facilities, refugee camps, or other humanitarian aid settings.
• Polio in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cases of vaccine-derived polio have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the World Health Organization.
• Polio in Syria. Cases of vaccine-derived polio have been reported in Syria, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
• Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Medical Tourists to the Dominican Republic. Serious infections with bacteria—called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)—recently have been reported in US residents who had cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic.
• Dengue in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka has reported a dengue epidemic. More than 90,000 cases have been reported across the country.
• Measles in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported an outbreak of measles.
• Measles in France. Health officials in France have reported an outbreak of measles.
• Chickenpox (varicella) in Pakistan. Health officials in Pakistan have reported a large outbreak of chickenpox, also known as varicella. Cases in children and adults, including deaths, have been reported in 10 districts.

U.S. Department of State

• North Korea Travel Alert. The Secretary of State published a Notice on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 that will restrict the use of U.S. passports to travel into, in, or through North Korea/the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), effective Friday, September 1, 2017.
• Jordan Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider the risks of travel to and throughout Jordan due to persistent terrorist threats.
• Egypt Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider the risks of travel to Egypt due to threats from terrorist and violent political opposition groups.

United Nations

• Mauritania: UN rights office voices concern about unrest ahead of constitutional referendum.

International SOS. (from newsroom)

• Advice regarding the US government geographic travel restriction to North Korea

Zika News

CDC

• Zika Virus in Papua New Guinea – this notice has been removed
• Zika Virus in Cayman Islands – this notice has been removed

Recommended Reading / Viewing

CDC

• Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather.  Take measures to stay cool and remain hydrated.

WHO

Here are 12 tips to be healthy.#ChooseHealth! pic.twitter.com/zGQnvye8hx

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) July 30, 2017

International SOS newsroom

• Traveling with Medications: What You Need to Know

U.S. Department of State

• Aviation Security Update for Last Point of Departure Airports

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.