043019 – World Status Report

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 – GOV.UK. A British national was tragically killed in Kaduna on Friday 19 April 2019. The FCO continue to advise against all but essential travel to Kaduna. You should exercise additional vigilance in crowded public places.
• Sri Lanka – GOV.AU, GOVT.NZ, GOV.UK, U.S. Department of State. On 21 April 2019, a number of bombings targeted prominent hotels and churches in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. These attacks have resulted in more than 253 deaths and 359 injured. Further attacks, including low-scale or opportunistic attacks, cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas.

  Exercise a high degree of personal security awareness at all times, be alert during religious or national festivals, avoid large public gatherings and exercise caution in areas with large crowds.

  Security has been stepped up across the island. A State of Emergency and night-time curfew remain in place. If you’re travelling during curfew hours, prearrange transport with the necessary curfew permits, through your hotel or local host well in advance. Carry relevant travel and identification documents for any checkpoints.

  Curfews and other heightened security measures could also affect domestic travel including domestic flights. If you’re departing from Bandaranaike International Airport arrive four hours ahead of your scheduled flight due to heightened security measures at the airport. Check with your travel service provider well in advance. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for updates.

  • The UK Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.
  • On April 26, 2019, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of all school-age family members of U.S. government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade. The Department also authorized the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Sri Lanka due to the security environment.
  • The Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recommends to ”Reconsider your need to travel” to Sri Lanka.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Guinea-Bissau – U.S. Department of State. Reconsider travel to Guinea-Bissau due to crime and civil unrest. Violent crime is common in Guinea-Bissau. Aggressive vendors, panhandlers, and occasionally criminals target foreigners at the Bissau airport and other crowded areas, especially Bandim Market in the center of the capital. Local police lack the resources, capacity, and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. The country has been beset by chronic political and institutional dysfunction for decades, and there is the potential for violence. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens because there is no U.S. Embassy in Guinea-Bissau. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Mozambique – GOV.UK. Tropical Storm Kenneth made landfall as a tropical cyclone in Northern Mozambique on Thursday 25 April 2019. Avoid impacted areas and follow instructions from local authorities.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• Bangladesh – GOV.UK. There have been recent media reports suggesting Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL) interest in attacking targets in Bangladesh. We are not aware of any specific threat. Please remain vigilant, especially in public places.
• Colombia – GOV.UK. The National Liberation Army (ELN) terrorist organization continues plotting possible attacks in Colombia. They 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.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Panama – GC.CA. Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Incidents of assault, rape and sexual aggression against foreigners have occurred, including at beach resorts. In some cases, hotel employees have been implicated. Avoid walking after dark, especially alone, and avoid deserted or under-populated areas. Exercise caution when dealing with strangers or recent acquaintances. Don’t accept invitations or rides from strangers or recent acquaintances. If you are a victim of a sexual assault or other crime, you should report it immediately to the nearest Canadian consulate or embassy.
• Senegal – U.S. Department of State. Some areas have increased risk.  Exercise increased caution in the Casamance region due to crime and landmines. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Demonstrations

• Benin – GOV.AU. Parliamentary elections took place on 28 April 2019. Political rallies and protests are expected in the period leading up to and possibly beyond the elections. Be alert, avoid crowds and demonstrations, monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.
• Colombia – GOV.AU. A national strike began on 25 April. Large demonstrations are likely in all major cities until 2 May. Roads may be closed and travel disrupted. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings. Monitor local media and follow the advice of authorities.
• Haiti – GC.CA. A group of protesters announced that they will besiege the Cour des Comptes in Port-au-Prince on April 26, 2019. Violent protests occurred across the country in February 2019. Clashes, sometimes involving the use of firearms, resulted in casualties. Although tensions have eased somewhat, the situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Demonstrations and strikes could occur without notice and disrupt transportation. If you currently are in Haiti avoid large gatherings, plan to have adequate fuel, water and food supplies, and avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended.
• Indonesia – GOV.UK. General elections were held in Indonesia on 17 April with official results set to be announced on 22 May. You should avoid all protests, demonstrations and political rallies.
• Solomon Islands – GOV.AU, GOV.UK. Following the election of the Prime Minister on 24 April 2019, there were isolated incidents of violence and vandalism in the Kukum, China Town, Burns Creek and Henderson areas. Local police responded to restore security. Maintain a high degree of awareness, avoid protests, political rallies and other public gatherings, as they may turn violent. You should monitor local media and be vigilant.

Health

• Brazil and France (Reunion) – ECDC. Dengue. Brazil and Reunion have observed a sharp increase in the past months. Cote d’Ivoire, Mauritius, the Maldives and Timor-Leste have reported new outbreaks this month. During the past week, Réunion has detected more than 1 200 cases of dengue.
• China – ECDC. Influenza A(H7N9). In April 2019, one human case of avian influenza A(H7N9) was reported in an 82-year-old male who developed illness on 18 March 2019 and was hospitalized on 31 March 2019 with severe pneumonia. The case was reported from Gansu Province, but potential exposure occurred in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. No further human cases were reported among his close contacts. Investigation is ongoing.
• Europe – ECDC. Influenza. Among 41 countries reporting on geographic spread, only 4 reported widespread activity. All countries reporting on influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection thresholds reported activity below baseline levels. Pooled data from 23 Member States and areas reporting to the EuroMOMO project indicated that all-cause excess mortality observed remained at levels expected for this time of year.
• France (Mayotte) – ECDC. Rift Valley fever. According to Agence de Santé Océan Indien, as of 18 April 2019, 122 human cases of Rift Valley fever confirmed by PCR and 104 Rift Valley fever epizootic foci have been reported on Mayotte, an increase of 21 human cases and 44 epizootic foci since the previous CDTR update on 22 March 2019. No severe form of the disease (according to WHO definitions) was found among the 65 cases for which information on severity is available. However, as of 11 April 2019, 11 cases were hospitalised, including one pregnant woman and three cases with meningitis. Among 101 investigated cases, 74 reported contact with animals, 7 cases reported consumption of raw or curdled milk and 20 cases had no reported risk factors. Data on the commune of residence is available for 102 of the 122 confirmed cases. The vast majority of the cases are concentrated in the Centre-West (58%) and North (27%) areas of Mayotte, as previously reported
• Mexico – GC.CA. Storm run-off, sewage and oil may affect the water quality at some beaches. Water can contain bacteria, parasites and viruses that cause illness. Follow the advice of local authorities about water conditions at beaches. Avoid swimming in polluted water. Avoid swallowing water while swimming.
• Saudi Arabia – WHO. MERS-CoV. From 14 February through 31 March 2019, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 22 additional cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including four deaths, associated with the outbreak in Wadi Aldwasir. Of the 22 cases, 19 were reported from Wadi Aldwasir city including two healthcare workers. The remaining three cases, which are epidemiologically linked to the outbreak, were healthcare workers from a hospital in Khamees Mushait city, Asir region.
• Southern Africa – ECDC. Risk of communicable diseases related to cyclone Idai. Since the previous CDTR and as of 20 April 2019, Mozambique has reported more than 1 500 new cholera cases. In addition, following Cyclone Idai and as of 20 April 2019, Mozambique has reported more than 14 000 malaria cases. In Zimbabwe and as of 17 April 2019, there is a high burden of acute respiratory tract infections in Chimanimani District and an 60 000 estimated people have been displaced.
• World – ECDC. Chikungunya. The virus is largely spread in the Americas region, with several countries reporting cases in 2019. Chikungunya virus disease cases have also been reported in Africa and Asia during this period. Since the previous CDTR update on 22 March 2019, Brazil, the Republic of the Congo and Thailand have reported the majority of the new cases. No outbreaks have been identified in the Australia and Pacific region and Europe since the previous report.

Law and Culture

• Peru – GC.CA. On February 19, 2019, the Peruvian Government declared a state of emergency in the province of Madre de Dios due to an ongoing security operation against illegal gold mining in the region. The affected districts are Huepetuhe, Inambari, Laberinto, Las Piedras, Madre de Dios, and Tambopata. Consequently, some civil rights have been suspended. Be cautious if you are in this region. Expect a high security presence. Allow extra time to reach your destination

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Angola, Botswana, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 6 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Australia – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 4 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 2 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Burundi, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda – GDACS. The drought has lasted for 2 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Colombia – GOV.UK. Severe flooding and landslides have been reported in some regions, especially Cauca and Nariño. Heavy showers are expected to continue through the end of June. The Pan-American Highway is currently closed in southern Cauca due to a landslide. Pay close attention to the warnings issued by the Colombian Authorities, in particular, the Colombian Metereological Agency (IDEAM).
• Comoros – GC.CA. Tropical cyclone Kenneth passed through the Comoros on April 25, 2019. The cyclone brought excessive rainfall and caused some casualties. The violent winds caused widespread power outages in the northern part of the main island, Grande Comore, and in the capital Moroni as well as on the island of Anjouan. Monitor local media for the latest developments and follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Comoros, Mozambique – GDACS. From 23/04/2019 to 25/04/2019, a Hurricane/Typhoon > 74 mph (maximum wind speed of 231 km/h) KENNETH-19 was active in SWIndian.
• Iran – GC.CA. Since late March 2019, heavy rainfall has been causing flooding in several parts of the country, resulting in many casualties. Some roads and bridges are impassable. The situation could severely disrupt essential services. The most-affected provinces are Golestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Ilam, Fars (including Shiraz) and Lorestan. If you are in Iran stay away from flooded areas, follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders and monitor local media, weather reports and social media to stay up-to-date on the current situation.
• Mozambique – GC.CA,  GOV.AU Parts of Mozambique have been severely affected by tropical cyclone Idai. Idai made landfall near Beira City in central Mozambique, causing heavy rains, strong winds, and severe flooding. The provinces most affected by flooding in Mozambique are Sofala and Zambezia as well as the districts of Cuamba and Madimba in the province of Niassa. The provinces of Manica, Inhambane and Tete are also impacted. Southern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe are also experiencing severe flooding due to cyclone Idai. Depending on your destination, there could be disruptions to the essential services like clean water and food supply, emergency services, medical care, sanitation, shelter and mosquito control. These conditions can lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Tropical cyclones may occur along coastal areas of Mozambique from November to May. The direction and strength of cyclones can change with little warning. Monitor weather reports and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
• Philippines – GDACS,  GOV.AU. On 4/22/2019 09:11 UTC, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in Philippines potentially affecting 2730000 people within 100km. The earthquake struck the northern Luzon region causing damage to infrastructure and disrupting essential services, including transport. It may take some time for services to resume full operations. Monitor media reports and follow the advice of the local authorities.
• Tanzania – GOV.AU. Tropical cyclones may occur along coastal areas in Tanzania, and the direction and strength of cyclones can change with little warning. Monitor weather reports and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC. Ebola. Since the previous CDTR, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported 167 additional cases, including 126 deaths. All cases reported during this period are confirmed. Among the new reported cases in the past week, three are healthcare workers. Additionally, during this period, severe security incidents took place. On 19 April 2019, an attack to a hospital in Katwa led to the death of a WHO epidemiologist. As a consequence, response activities in the health zones coordinated from Butembo were disrupted.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO. Ebola. This past week witnessed a notable escalation of security incidents surrounding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) response efforts. On 19 April, an attack on a hospital in Katwa by armed militia resulted in the tragic death of Dr Richard Mouzoko Kiboung, a WHO epidemiologist, and the injury of two other healthcare workers. To ensure the safety of all outbreak responders, Ebola response activities have been temporarily halted in some high-risk health areas until security measures can be reinforced. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

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.