International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

103018 – World Status Report

October 30, 2018

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.

Avoid Nonessential Travel

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Nigeria – U.S. Department of State. Level 3: Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and piracy. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Benin – GOV.UK.  The FCO now advise against all travel to the Parc du W and the contiguous hunting zones of Meêkrou and Djona, and against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 (Tchaourou to Malanville) and the Nigerian border.
  • Niger – GOV.UK. The FCO now advise against all travel to the Parc du W, plus the contiguous Dosso and Tamou hunting zones.

Natural Disaster

  • Philippines, Northern Mariana Islands – GDACS. From 21/10/2018 to 25/10/2018, a Hurricane/Typhoon > 74 mph (maximum wind speed of 287 km/h) YUTU-18 was active in NWPacific.
  • Philippines – Government of Canada, GOV.UK.  Avoid all travel to the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Northern Aurora due to Typhoon Yutu. Typhoon Yutu, locally known as Rosita, is expected to make landfall as a category 2 typhoon in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino and Northern Aurora on October 30, 2018. As the storm develops, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration will continue to issue alerts and warnings for the potentially affected areas. The typhoon is likely to bring excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, and medical care. Avoid all travel through the affected areas. If you reside in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Northern Marianas – Government of Canada. Super Typhoon Yutu passed through the Northern Marianas islands on October 25, 2018. The typhoon brought excessive rainfall and violent winds. It may cause flash flooding and landslides and could severely disrupt the essential services like transportation, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services and medical care. Avoid any unnecessary travel through the affected area. If you reside in the affected areas, you should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Comoros – Government of Canada. Avoid non-essential travel to Anjouan Island due to civil unrest.
  • Ethiopia – Government of Canada. Violent clashes can occur without warning across the ‎Somali region. Remain vigilant when travelling in this region and monitor local media.

Law and Culture

  • Nigeria – GOV.UK. The Kaduna State Government has reintroduced a 24-hour curfew in Kaduna, effective from 11am on 26 October 2018; if you’re in the area, you should respect curfews and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Mali – GOV.UK. On 24 October 2018 the Malian government extended the state of emergency that has been in existence since November 2015 by a year, until 31 October 2019. You should expect a robust security presence including police patrols and possible police security checks on restaurants and hotels. There are likely to be more vehicle and personal security checks during this time and nobody will be exempt.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Egypt – GOV.UK. There’s a heightened risk of terrorism against aviation. Additional security measures have been in place for flights departing from Egypt to the UK since March 2017. You should co-operate fully with security officials.
  • Bahrain – GOV.UK. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Bahrain. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

Demonstrations

  • Cameroon – Government of Canada, GOV.UK. Demonstrations could still occur in reaction to the results of the October 7 presidential elections. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Monitor local media for the latest information and always carry photo identification such as your passport with you.
  • Guinea – Government of Canada. Demonstrations occur to this day and may continue in reaction to the results of the February 2018 elections. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information
  • Senegal – Government of Canada. Presidential elections are due to take place on February 24, 2019. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information.
  • Sri Lanka – GOV.UK.  Protests are expected in central Colombo on 30 October; you should exercise vigilance and avoid all demonstrations or large political gatherings.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Comoros – U.S. Department of State. Level 2: Exercise increased caution in The Union of the Comoros due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Health

  • Syria – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in Syria. CDC recommends that all travelers to Syria be vaccinated fully against polio. Adults who have been fully vaccinated should receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine before travel.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). CDC recommends that all travelers to DRC be vaccinated fully against polio. Adults who have been fully vaccinated should receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine before travel.
  • Papua New Guinea – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea. CDC recommends that all travelers to Papua New Guinea be vaccinated fully against polio. Before traveling to Papua New Guinea, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine. The current outbreak in Papua New Guinea is caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus, a sign of low polio vaccine coverage in the country.
  • Nigeria – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in Nigeria. CDC recommends that all travelers to Nigeria be vaccinated fully against polio. Adults who have been fully vaccinated should receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine before travel. 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.
  • Somalia – CDC. There is a polio outbreak in Somalia. CDC recommends that all travelers to Somalia be vaccinated fully against polio. Before traveling to Somalia, adults who completed their routine polio vaccine series as children should receive a single, lifetime adult booster dose of polio vaccine. The current outbreak in Somalia is caused by vaccine-derived poliovirus, a sign of low polio vaccine coverage in the country.
  • Zimbabwe – Government of Canada. An outbreak of typhoid is currently being monitored  in Gweru City, Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. If you plan to travel to Zimbabwe, it is recommended that you consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you travel.
  • Senegal – GOV.UK. An outbreak of dengue fever in Touba, in Senegal’s central region; if you’re visiting the city or surrounding area, including during the Magal de Touba religious festival on 27 October, you should exercise caution and take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
  • Guyana – GOV.UK. Malaria and dengue fever are common to Guyana and can occur throughout the year. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Entry and Exit requirements

  • Kuwait – Government of Canada. The Kuwaiti authorities will deny you entry if your passport shows an X in the “sex” field or if it includes an observation to that effect.
  • China – GOV.UK. With effect from 1 November 2018, all visa applicants aged between 14 and 70 inclusive will need to make their visa application in person at a Visa Application Centre; as part of the application process, biometric data (scanned fingerprints) will now have to be provided.
  • United Arab Emirates – GOV.UK. All tourists and residents entering the UAE will be required to complete an electronic form to obtain online approval to carry medication for personal use, prior to entering the country.

Law and Culture

  • Indonesia – Government of Canada. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are legally available in Canada, such as those containing morphine and codeine, are classified as controlled substances in Indonesia. It’s illegal to bring them into the country, even in small quantities, without prior permission from the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the required documentation. If you attempt to bring banned pharmaceuticals into Indonesia without these, Indonesian authorities may confiscate them. You may also be subject to fines and imprisonment.
  • Philippines – GOV.UK. All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day will be observed on 1 and 2 November in the Philippines. Many people travel to their home provinces to visit family graves. Transport hubs and ports, including airports, will be very busy during this period. You should allow extra time if you are planning to travel during this busy time, or across the weekend.

Others

  • Mexico – Government of Canada. Due to maintenance and repair works, Mexico City is planning a 96-hour water shut-off, from 5 a.m. on October 31 to 5 a.m. on November 4, 2018. During this period, the areas Álvaro Obregón, Azcapotzalco, Benito Juárez, Coyoacán, Cuajimalpa, Cuauhtemoc, Cuautitlan Izcalli, Ecatepec, Huixquilucan, Iztacalco, Iztapalapa, Magdalena Contreras, Metepec, Miguel Hidalgo, Tláhuac, Tlalnepantla, Tlalpan, Toluca, Tultitlan, and Venustiano Carranza will be deprived of water, in whole or in part. The water supply service will gradually return to normal in the week of November 4, 2018. If you live or travel in the affected area plan for sufficient water supplies to cover the period of service interruption; local authorities suggest 18 litres per day to cover your basic needs. Make sure you fill your tanks before the end of the day of October 30, 2018. During the period of service interruption avoid doing laundry, avoid opening taps, drink milk or other bottled drinks. Monitor local media for the latest information on the situation and follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Azerbaijan – GOV.UK. If you’re travelling to or from Azerbaijan via Istanbul, please note that a new Istanbul airport is due to open on 29 October 2018; a gradual transfer of flights from Ataturk Airport will take place through to the end of December 2018; in the meantime, many flights will continue to operate into/out of Ataturk Airport; this may affect UK-Baku flight transfers.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. Security incidents over the past week, ranging from clashes between rebel and government forces resulting in civilian deaths to response vehicles being pelted with stones, continued to cause community distress and severely impede response activities for the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These incidents are occurring amidst intense EVD transmission in communities in the city of Beni. In spite of these challenges, the Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO and partners are reinforcing efforts to contain the outbreak; WHO does not currently plan to reduce the response team comprised of over 250 WHO staff.

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.