081418 – World Status Report

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

• Yemen – UN. An air strike on a busy market area in Yemen that reportedly killed scores of people including more than 20 children on a bus, is the latest in a recent spate of violence targeting civilians, UN agencies said on Friday.
• Libya – U.S. Department of State. Do not travel to Libya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict. Read the entire travel advisory.
• Ecuador – GOV.UK. The FCO now advise against all but essential travel to all other areas of Esmeraldas province outside the existing 20km exclusion zone along the border with Colombia.

Natural Disaster

• Indonesia – International SOS,  Government of Canada, GOV.UK   Defer non-essential travel to North Lombok and East Lombok regencies (West Nusa Tenggara province), including tourist areas such as Gili islands, following a series of earthquakes on 5-7 August. Exercise caution and follow official directives.  Earthquakes caused deaths and injuries, and disruptions to essential services, such as power and transportation.  Monitor local media for developments, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Laos – Government of Canada. A hydroelectric dam broke and released extremely large volumes of water in the Xe Pian River in southern Laos PDR on July 23, 2018. Areas along the Xe Pian River in Attapeu Province could be affected. The elevated water levels could get to the lower reaches of the Xekong River, which flows into the Mekong River in Cambodia. Flooding is also expected in Pakse in the coming days due to cresting of the Mekong River. Authorities have issued flood alerts for Attapeu provice. In the affected areas, there could be significant disruptions to the essential services like transportation services and networks, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, and emergency services. Avoid travel to or through Attapeu province. Avoid flooded areas, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation order and monitor the news.
• Vanuatu – Government of Canada. On July 26, 2018, the Government of Vanuatu ordered a complete evacuation of Ambae island due to an increase in volcanic activity. A state of emergency is in effect. Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Crime

• Chile – GOV.UK. There have been reports of people being robbed by bogus airport taxi drivers; we advise to only use official and/or pre-booked taxis from airports and to ask taxi drivers for proof of reservation.

Demonstrations

• Honduras – Government of Canada. Demonstrations and strikes occur regularly in cities throughout the country and often result in significant traffic disruptions and minor vandalism. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds, as they can turn violent with little notice. Exercise caution and keep informed of possible roadblocks. The Honduran constitution prohibits political activities by foreigners. Do not participate in political discussions or activities in public, as doing so could lead to arrest or even deportation.
• Zimbabwe – Government of Canada. General elections were held on July 30, 2018. On August 1, 2018, clashes between demonstrators and security forces resulted in casualties in the Central Business District of Harare. The situation is now calm. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations.
• Democratic Republic of Congo – Government of Canada. The security situation in the DRC is unpredictable. It could deteriorate suddenly because a political agreement reached on December 31, 2016, has yet to be implemented. Large-scale demonstrations could occur at any time and lead to violence, in Kinshasa and other large cities. During large-scale demonstrations, the only road to N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa can be blocked and flight schedules can be disrupted. Riots and demonstrations may occur sporadically along Matadi Road and cause road closures with little or no notice. Attacks on vehicles along this road are also becoming more frequent. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and monitor media.
• Bahrain – GOV.UK. There are calls for unauthorized protests on 14 August in unspecified locations around Bahrain. Demonstrations and protests take place regularly. These activities may include attempts to disrupt traffic, protests in villages and near economic centers, burning tires, throwing Molotov cocktails, and the use of improvised explosive devices. As a result there could be clashes between government security forces and protesters. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings.

Natural Disaster

• Thailand – Government of Canada,  GOV.UK. There is an elevated risk of floods in northern and northeastern Thailand, due to an early monsoon and a dam collapse in Attapeu province in Laos. The provinces Chiang Rai, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Yasothon, Roi Et, and Ubon Ratchathani are particularly at risk. The Thai Meteorological Department continues to issue weather warnings for heavy rain, high seas and hazardous conditions, across Thailand; you should follow advice of local authorities and monitor weather forecasts.
• Japan – Government of Canada. Typhoons usually occur between June and October. Southern areas, including Okinawa and surrounding islands, are more vulnerable. These storms can result in flooding and landslides, significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure, and can hamper the provision of essential services.
• France – GOV.UK. There were flash floods in southern France (Gard) on Thursday 9th August. If you are in the area please follow advice of the local authorities.
• Portugal – GOV.UK. The forest fire which was burning in the area of Monchique, in the Algarve, has now been extinguished. While the weather remains hot and dry, there is always a risk of forest fires; check the situation with the local Civil Protection authorities and report any fires you may see immediately to the emergency services on 112.
• India – GOV.UK. Heavy monsoon rain continues across the state of Kerala, claiming 24 lives; there’s flooding in most areas following the opening of Kerala’s Idukki Reservoir floodgates; rail and road transport has been severely affected with roads and tracks submerged and cut off; flights to and from Kochi Airport may be affected; if you’re travelling to or are in Kerala you should closely monitor travel advice, media reports and follow advice of local authorities.
• Iceland – GOV.UK. Iceland is volcanically and seismically active; you should monitor the Icelandic Met Office website for the latest updates and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Other

• Chile – Government of Canada. The Chilean government limits stays on Easter Island to a maximum of 30 consecutive days for all travelers, including Chileans who reside on the mainland. Upon entry, you will have to show a passport that will be valid for the duration of your stay, a return ticket that meets the 30-day deadline, and a proof of reservation at a tourist accommodation authorized by the National Tourism Service.
• Italy – GOV.UK. It is illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy; doing so may result in heavy fines; it’s also forbidden to collect various species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountain and wooded areas; for more information, check with the regional authorities of the area you’re visiting.
• Guyana – Government of Canada. If you are staying at a hotel in Georgetown, remain vigilant and ensure that you have different means of egress.

Health

• Vibrio growth – ECDC. As of 10 August 2018, environmental suitability for Vibrio growth in the Baltic Sea for the next five days is considered to be medium to very high in certain coastal areas of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and Russia.   CDC.  People with vibriosis become infected by consuming raw or undercooked seafood or exposing a wound to seawater.
• West Nile virus – ECDC. Between 3 and 9 August 2018, EU Member States reported 120 human cases of West Nile fever: Italy (72), Greece and Romania (16 each), Hungary (13) and France (3). EU neighboring countries reported 34 cases: Serbia (32) cases and Kosovo* (2). This week, Serbia reported five deaths, Greece 3 deaths and Italy, Kosovo and Romania one death each.  CDC. Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
• Measles – ECDC. Updates are provided for 18 EU/EEA countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom. In 2018, 31 deaths were reported in EU countries.
• MERS-CoV – ECDC. During the month of July, seven cases, including two deaths, of MERS-CoV were reported by Saudi Arabia. All the cases were male. Five cases reported camel contact, one case was due to nosocomial transmission and two cases were community-acquired.
• Nigeria – WHO. On 5 June 2018, a circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreak was confirmed in Sokoto State, Nigeria. From 30 January through 23 May 2018, ten environmental samples collected from two collection sites all tested positive for genetically-related VDPV2 viruses. No associated cases of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) have been detected with this cVDPV2.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC, CDC. As of 8 August 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 44 EVD cases, of which 17 have been confirmed and 27 remain probable. Among the 44 cases, 37 cases had a fatal outcome, of which 10 have been confirmed for Ebola virus and 27 remain probable. Travelers to this area could be infected if they come into contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids. Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop symptoms of fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, or red eyes during or after travel.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. On 1 August 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the country. North Kivu is among the most populated provinces in the country, shares borders with Uganda and Rwanda, and experiences conflict and insecurity, with over one million internally displaced people and migration of refugees to neighbouring countries.
• Uganda – GOV.UK. On 1 August 2018, an outbreak of Ebola was declared in Béni territory, North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ugandan authorities have put in place additional screening measures at Entebbe airport and the districts of Kasese, Ntoroko, Kanungu, Bundibugyo Kisoro and Kabarole in western and south-western Uganda which border North Kivu.
• Nigeria – GOV.UK. The outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo could result in additional checks taking place at international airports in Nigeria; there are no direct flights from the DRC so these checks could be in place for any flight; this is a standard precaution.
• Rwanda – GOV.UK. The Rwandan government has put in place screening procedures for Ebola at all entry points including land borders and at airports.

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.