International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

031219 – World Status Report

March 12, 2019

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

  • India – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Do not travel to: The state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest. Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict. Indian authorities report rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and in other locations. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Tunisia – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Do not travel to Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain due to crime. Violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping, is common. Gang activity, such as narcotics trafficking, is common. A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related and geographically concentrated. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Trinidad and Tobago – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain due to crime.  Violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping, is common. Gang activity, such as narcotics trafficking, is common.  A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related and geographically concentrated. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Health

  • Solomon Islands – GC.CA. Avoid non-essential travel to Rennell Island due to health hazards caused by an ongoing fuel leak in Kangava Bay.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

  • Thailand – GOV.UK. On 10 March 2019 a number of explosions occurred in Satun City and in Pattalung Province in the South of Thailand. If you are in the area, you should follow the advice of the local authorities.

Crime and Social Unrest

  • Jamaica – U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in Jamaica due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Violent crime, such as home invasions, armed robberies, and homicide is common. Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
  • Spain – GOV.AU. Petty crime, including bag snatching, pickpocketing and theft from cars, is common, especially in large cities. Petty crime has become a serious problem in Barcelona, particularly in tourist areas and on public transport.  Thieves often target tourist attractions, public transport, railway stations, cruise terminals, museums, beaches, restaurants and hotel foyers, especially during the summer peak tourist season. Many thefts occur in restaurants and outdoor cafes where bags are placed on the backs of chairs or on the ground.
  • Togo – GC.CA. Be particularly vigilant near the border with Burkina Faso due to the risk of kidnapping and banditry.

Demonstrations

  • Guinea-Bissau – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Legislative elections are due to take place on March 10, 2019. Election-related demonstrations have resulted in violence in the past. Avoid any protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings.
  • Nigeria – GOV.UK. Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections took place on 9 March 2019. Tensions are high in parts of Nigeria as results are announced, in particular in Akwa Ibom, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Rivers states. The collation of votes has already been suspended in Rivers state and several results are likely to be declared inconclusive, requiring further polls. Some results will be disputed and legal challenges may begin. Consequently tensions will continue to run high across Nigeria for some time and public gatherings and demonstrations may take place at short notice and have the potential to turn violent. You should continue to avoid rallies, public gatherings and demonstrations and monitor local media.
  • Senegal – GC.CA, GOV.UK. Presidential elections were held on February 24, 2019 and passed peacefully. Official results were announced on March 5, 2019. Demonstrations could occur in reaction to the announcement of the results. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place. Follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media for the latest information.
  • Solomon Islands – GC.CA. General elections are due to take place on April 3, 2019. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.

Health

  • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden Switzerland, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Madagascar, Myanmar, North Macedonia, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine, the US and Vietnam – ECDC. Measles. Since the previous Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) published on 8 February 2019, updates have been provided for 26 EU/EFTA countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. In 2019, three deaths were reported in the EU in Romania. Relevant updates outside EU/EEA countries are provided for Australia, Brazil, Israel, Madagascar, Myanmar, North Macedonia, the Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine, the US and Vietnam.
  • Brazil – ECDC. Mass gathering. There is media attention about an incident happening in Olinda (near the city of Recife) where at least 25 persons were reportedly attacked with possibly contaminated syringes.
  • Chile – GC.CA. In 2019, outbreaks of measles have also been reported in Chile.
  • France (Mayotte) – ECDC. Rift Valley fever. According to Santé publique France and Agence de Santé Océan Indien, 19 new human cases have been reported in Mayotte since the last CDTR published on 1 March 2019.
  • Mexico – WHO. On 12 February 2019, the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) received a report regarding surgical site infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa after invasive procedures performed in Tijuana, Mexico. As of 11 February, a total of 20 cases, 16 confirmed and 4 suspected, have been identified in nine states in the United States.
  • Europe – ECDC. Influenza. Influenza activity was widespread in the European Region. Influenza transmission in Europe shows a seasonal pattern, with peak activity during the winter months.
  • Pakistan – GC.CA. There is an ongoing outbreak of extensively-drug resistant (XDR) typhoid fever in Pakistan that does not respond to most antibiotics. Cases were first reported in the province of Hyderabad and the city of Karachi, but the outbreak has now spread to other parts of the country.
  • Saudi Arabia, Oman – ECDC. MERS-CoV. In 2019 and as of 7 March 2019, 104 MERS-CoV cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia (91) and Oman (13). There were also 20 deaths in Saudi Arabia (16) and Oman (4). In Saudi Arabia, 34 cases were primary (19 of whom reported contact with camels), 31 were healthcare-acquired, 18 were household contacts and 8 cases are under investigation. The majority of the cases in Saudi Arabia (78%) were reported in Wadi Aldwasir (52) and Riyadh (19).

Law and Culture

  • France – GOV.UK. Passengers travelling from France to the UK via the Eurostar, Eurotunnel or northern ferry ports should be aware that industrial action by customs officers is causing significant delays to all services. Some airports have also been affected. You should check with your service provider before travelling.
  • Sudan – GOV.AU. On 22 February 2019, Sudan’s President declared a year-long state of emergency across Sudan. The state of emergency bans unauthorized public gatherings and gives security forces increased powers to arrest, restrict movement and seize assets. Avoid protests or large gatherings, observe curfews and follow the instructions of local authorities. If travelling outside Khartoum, seek information on the situation in the areas you will be travelling to or passing through before departing. Be alert and monitor media for the latest information about safety or security risks.
  • Tunisia – GC.CA, GOV.UK A state of emergency remains in effect since 2015 following a deadly bus bombing targeting National Guard officers in downtown Tunis. The state of emergency was last extended in March 2019 until April 5, 2019. National and regional curfews, which are enforced by the police, may be imposed without advance warning. Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times. Regularly review your security practices and remain alert to the changing situation.  Follow the advice of local security officials, including in and around religious sites. In more remote areas of the country, including tourist sites in southern Tunisia, security forces’ response times to an incident may vary.
  • India – GC.CA. It is illegal to carry or use a satellite phone in India.

Natural Disasters and Climate

  • Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 4 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Australia – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 2 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
  • Dominican Republic, Haiti – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 3 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.

Other

  • Venezuela – GC.CA, GOV.UK. An ongoing power outage has been affecting most of the country, including Caracas, since March 7, 2019. Many services have been disrupted, including public water supplies, communications, mainly cellular telephone and Internet (mobile signals and internet are working intermittently), banking, including purchasing goods, transportation, including flights and medical services.
  • Zimbabwe – GC.CA. Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a severe currency shortage. It is impossible to withdraw money from ATMs. Bring sufficient funds in cash for the duration of your stay.

Ebola News

  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – U.S. Department of State. There is an outbreak of Ebola in the North Kivu (Kivu Nord) and Ituri provinces in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Travelers to this area could be infected with Ebola if they come into contact with an infected person’s blood or other body fluids. Travelers should seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, rash, or red eyes during or after travel. CDC has provided recommendations to ensure workers with potential occupational exposure to Ebola are healthy when they return to the United States.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Ebola. Since the previous CDTR, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 28 additional cases, including 19 additional deaths, among confirmed cases.
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is continuing with moderate intensity. Katwa and Butembo remain the major health zones of concern, while small clusters continue simultaneously in some geographically dispersed locations. During the last 21 days (13 February – 5 March 2019), 76 new confirmed and probable cases have been reported from 31 health areas within nine health zones (Figure 1), including: Katwa (44), Butembo (17), Mandima (6), Masereka (3), Kalunguta (2), Beni (1), Vuhovi (1), Kyondo (1), and Rwampara (1). The emerging cluster in Mandima health zone is occurring in a previously unaffected village, with five of the recent cases epidemiologically linked and the sixth case likely exposed in Butembo; nonetheless, there remains a high risk of further spread. Similarly, recent cases (two confirmed and one probable) in Masereka stem from a Butembo chain of transmission. These events highlight the importance for response teams to remain active across all areas, including those with lower case incidence, to rapidly detect new cases and prevent onward transmission.

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.