101619 – 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

• Iraq – GC.CA – Avoid all travel to Iraq due to a continued volatile, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous security situation. If you are in Iraq, consider departing by commercial means if it is safe to do so.

Take Enhanced Precautions

Conflict and Terrorism

• Bangladesh – GOV.UK – Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Bangladesh. The threat extends across the country. There have been several IED attacks targeting police and security forces in Dhaka in 2019 and an IED attack against an Awami League office in Khulna city. There is a risk that future attacks could target public gatherings, including religious gatherings and political rallies, crowded areas and places where foreign nationals are known to gather. You should minimise your exposure to these areas, consider your movements carefully and follow any specific advice of the local authorities.
• Rwanda – GOV.UK – The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains unstable, and the situation in Burundi has also become volatile with increased tensions and violence related to the ongoing political crisis, including deteriorating relations with Rwanda. There’s a continuing risk that the security situation in the region could deteriorate further. If you are travelling near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or Burundi, you should be aware of the risk conflict can flare up at short notice, exercise caution and keep up to date with developments on the current situation.
• Tunisia – GOV.UK – A state of emergency is in effect in Tunisia, imposed after a suicide attack on a police bus on 24 November 2015. It’s been extended a number of times, most recently on 31 August 2019 until 31 December 2019.
• Turkey – GC.CA , GOV.UK – In early October 2019, the Turkish government launched the “Peace Spring” military operation in northeastern Syria. This intervention involves troop movements and military operations in southeastern Turkey. Exercise extreme caution, particularly around military or security forces. Avoid areas near the border and monitor local media for the latest information.

Crime and Social Unrest

• Guatemala – GC.CA , GOV.UK – On September 4, 2019, the Guatemalan government has declared a state of emergency after the killing of three soldiers by suspected drug traffickers. The state of emergency is in effect until November 10, 2019 in the 22 municipalities of the following six departments. Izabal: El Estor, Los Amates and Morales, including Puerto Barrios and Lívingston, Alta Verapaz: Tactic, Senahú, Tamahú, Tucurú, Panzós, Santa María Cahabón, Santa Catalina la Tinta, Chahal and Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Zacapa: Gualán, Río Hondo, Teculután and Usumatlán, El Progreso: San Agustín Acasaguastlán and San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, Baja Verapaz: Purulhá, Petén: San Luis. During this period, security forces have increased rights to conduct searches, seizures, and detain persons of interest. Some civil rights have been suspended, including the right to protest and to hold large meetings. Curfew may also be imposed without notice.
• Jamaica – GC.CA – Due to a significant increase in violent crime since the beginning of the year, the Jamaican government has declared states of emergency for Clarendon parish, St Catherine parish Effective until October 19, 2019. St James parish, which includes Montego Bay, Hanover parish, Westmoreland parish, which includes Negril Effective until October 28, 2019. St Andrew parish, which includes areas of Kingston Effective until January 4, 2020. During this period, security forces have been given increased rights to conduct searches, seizures, and detain persons of interest. Curfews may also be imposed without notice.
• Papua New Guinea – U.S. Department of State – The Autonomous Government of Bougainville has designated areas near the Panguna mine as “no go zones” due to the risk of violence and civil unrest. Bougainville police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. An earthquake has damaged infrastructure and disrupted local services. There is a risk of tribal violence in the region.

Demonstrations

• Bolivia- GOV.AU– Presidential elections will be held on 20 October 2019. Civil unrest may increase before, during and after the election.
• Colombia – GC.CA – Regional elections will take place on October 27, 2019. Prohibition law will be in effect from 6 p.m. on October 26, to 6 a.m. on October 28. Consequently, no alcohol will be sold in stores or restaurants during this period. Demonstrations could occur before, during and after the elections.
• Ecuador – GC.CA , GOV.UK , GOV.AU , GOV.NZ– On October 3, 2019, a nationwide strike was called by transportation unions to protest against economic measures imposed by the government. Demonstrations in Quito and other cities across the country developed into nationwide protests and civil unrest.
• Guinea – GC.CA , GOV.UK – Demonstrations are taking place in Conakry and across the country. Due to the tense political climate, these demonstrations could lead to violence. Past demonstrations resulted in several deaths and injuries. Be extremely vigilant if you’re travelling in the affected areas.
• Haiti – GOV.UK – There have been sporadic, unpredictable and sometimes violent demonstrations, protests and roadblocks in Port au Prince and throughout Haiti since July 2018, with a notable increase in civil unrest in the weeks since 2 September 2019. The movement of goods and people into and within the country is often disrupted due to blocked roads and security incidents. As a consequence, there are sometimes fuel and food shortages.
• Hong Kong – GOV.UK – In recent months, large scale political demonstrations have taken place throughout Hong Kong. Protests have affected many areas, including those popular with tourists. While a number of peaceful activities have taken place, many other protests have led to clashes between police and protesters involving significant violence. Some Mass Transit Railway (MTR) metro stations have been closed – including in major tourist areas due to damage caused by the protests. You should follow the MTR website for the latest updates before commencing your journey. The situation around protests and public gatherings can change quickly, with the potential for violence, especially during unauthorised protests. If you’re in an area where demonstrations are taking place, you should remain vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities and move away quickly to a safe place if there are signs of disorder. Previous demonstrations have led to sections of the city being closed off and temporary suspension of public transport.
• Iraq – GOV.UK – Following large protests in Baghdad and some provincial cities in early October, smaller protests continue to take place. Some restrictions on movement may still be in place. You should continue to monitor local media for updates on the situation.
• Mauritius – GC.CA – Legislative elections are due to take place on November 7, 2019. Demonstrations occur, and even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.
• Mozambique – GOV.UK – On 15 October, Mozambique will hold presidential, legislative and provincial elections. The electoral campaign period will run from 31 August to 12 October. In the past, the electoral period has resulted in civil unrest and intermittent outbreaks of violence. You should exercise caution whilst travelling around the country and avoid travelling to unfamiliar places during the week of the elections (from 13 to 20 October). Avoid large gatherings, demonstrations and political rallies, as there is a risk they could turn violent.
• Spain – GOV.UK – There have been large gatherings of people in Barcelona and other areas of the Catalonia region in relation to political developments there. Further gatherings and demonstrations are likely to take place. You should exercise caution in the vicinity of demonstrations as they may occur with little or no warning. Demonstrations intended to be peaceful can escalate and turn confrontational.

Entry and Exit Requirements

• Saudi Arabia – GC.CA – If you have a resident permit (iqama), you can’t leave the country without obtaining an exit (or exit/re entry visa if you intend to return to Saudi Arabia) from the Saudi Ministry of Interior. You must have your sponsor’s approval to obtain these visas.

Health

• Albania, Czech Republic, Greece, United Kingdom – ECDC – Measles. On 29 August 2019, the European Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination (RVC) determined that, for the first time since the verification process began in the Region in 2012, four countries (Albania, the Czech Republic, Greece and the United Kingdom) had lost their measles elimination status.
• Ethiopia – CDC – There is an outbreak of chikungunya in Ethiopia. Travelers should protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya. Mosquitoes become infected with chikungunya when they bite a person already infected. Once infected, a mosquito can then spread the virus to other people it bites.
• France – CDC – In September 2019, public health officials reported a case of locally acquired dengue in Barcelonès County, Spain, near Barcelona. In addition, six locally acquired cases of the disease were reported in France: five in the city of Vallauris, near Cannes, and one in Caluire et Cuire, near Lyon. None of the people infected had traveled outside their home countries (Spain or France).
• France – ECDC – On 9 October 2019, French authorities reported an autochthonous Zika case in Hyères city in the Var department in southern France.
• France, Italy, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria – ECDC – Measles. Since the previous monthly measles update in ECDC’s Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) on 13 September 2019, updates have been provided for 26 EU/EEA countries. Most of the cases in 2019 are reported from Romania (2770), France (2429), Italy (1571 ), Poland (1368), and Bulgaria (1173). In 2019, eight deaths have been reported so far in the EU/EEA: Romania (5), France (2), and Italy (1). Additionally, two deaths were reported to TESSy by Hungary and the UK.
• Germany – ECDC – In October 2019, German health authorities reported an outbreak of extensively drug resistant (XDR) K. pneumoniae, carrying the genes encoding for the OXA 48 and NDM 1 carbapenemases and resistant to colistin. This outbreak strain is of concern due to the very few remaining options for the treatment of infected patients. The outbreak affects four hospitals in the northeast of the state of Mecklenburg West Pomerania.
• Japan – ECDC – Mass gathering, Measles, Influenza and Rubella. No major events have been detected since the previous CDTR. Heavy rains and floods were reported parts of Tokyo this week. A measles alert has been issued by authorities of Kawasaki city and Tokyo Metropolis to inform the general public on potential exposure to measles in public transport between 21 and 25 September 2019. An early start of seasonal influenza has been reported by the Japanese authorities. Updates are provided for outbreaks of rubella and measles. An outbreak of rubella continues in Japan, with 2 210 cases reported in 2019 (as of 29 September 2019). The number of measles cases reported was 693 cases reported in 2019 (as of 25 September 2019)
• Nigeria – WHO – On 29 August 2019, a suspected yellow fever case was reported from Kano state with a travel history to Yankari game reserve, Alkaleri Local Government Area (LGA), Bauchi state, Nigeria. This is the first time that cases have been reported in relation to this area since the outbreak started in Nigeria in September 2017. This outbreak is unique in the broad geographic distribution of cases, most with linkage through travel, work or residence in, or close to, the Yankari game reserve, which is an ecological zone highly prone to yellow fever virus circulation (vectors, reservoir).
• Pakistan, Ireland, Denmark, United Kingdom – ECDC – Since 2016, Pakistan has been reporting an outbreak of XDR typhoid fever. Several countries have reported imported cases among travellers returning from Pakistan, including Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom
• Philippines – ECDC – Poliomyelitis. On 19 September 2019, a laboratory confirmed case of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was reported in the Philippines. On 19 September and 9 October 2019, two human cVDPV2 cases were laboratory confirmed.
• Phillipines – CDC , UN Dispatch – An outbreak of polio has been reported in the Philippines. This outbreak is caused by vaccine derived poliovirus (VDPV), a sign of low oral polio vaccine coverage in the country.
• Republic of Sudan – WHO – On 8 September, Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) notified WHO about a cholera outbreak in four localities in the Blue Nile State (BNS), south eastern Sudan, bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan. The first case was detected on 28 of August 2019. As of 2 October, 28 out of 42 (67%) samples tested from affected States were confirmed by culture as Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa in the National Public Health Laboratory.
• Romania, Greece, Hungary, Spain – ECDC – Between 4 and 10 October 2019, EU Member States reported nine human cases of West Nile Virus: Romania (5), Greece (3) and Hungary (1). Thirteen cases were reported from EU neighbouring countries in Israel (10) and Serbia (3). All human cases were reported from areas that have been affected previously. This week, three deaths were reported by Greece (2) and Romania (1). In the same week, seven outbreaks among equids were reported to the Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS) by Greece (5), Hungary (1) and Spain (1).

Law and Culture

• Mexico – GC.CA – Problems with timeshare arrangements occur. Timeshare representatives may be very persistent. They use pressure tactics and offer free tours, meals, gifts or alcoholic beverages. It is illegal for timeshare companies to ask you to sign a waiver that prevents you from cancelling a contract. You are legally entitled to cancel a timeshare contract without penalty within five working days. Contracts must be cancelled in writing directly with the timeshare company.
• Thailand – GOV.UK – On 24 October there will be a Royal Barge Procession along a 4.2km section of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok. There will also be full dress rehearsals on 17 and 21 October. Travel restrictions are likely to be in place on these days, which could include road, bridge, waterway and pier closures, as well as other restrictions related to viewing the procession. You should follow the advice of local security authorities regarding any restrictions.

Natural Disasters and Climate

• Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina, Chile, Australia – GDACS – The drought has lasted for 9 months. Drought indicators suggest anomalies typical of severe to extreme events.
• Japan – GC.CA , GOV.UK , GOV.NZ– Typhoon Hagibis made landfall on Izu Peninsula on October 12, 2019, affecting many coastal areas, including Tokyo. The typhoon has brought torrential rains, landslides and flooding in several regions. There have been significant disruptions to the following essential services like transportation, including flights and trains, power distribution, water and food supply, telecommunications networks, emergency services, medical care. If you’re travelling to the affected areas, contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans. Exercise caution, Monitor local news and weather reports, Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Jordan – GOV.UK – The government of Jordan has started to issue flood alerts, particularly along the Jordan valley; drivers and those hiking could be impacted.
• Papua New Guinea – U.S. Department of State – Recent years have seen regular volcanic activity at Mt. Ulawun, a volcano on the eastern end of the island of New Britain. A major eruption occurred in June 2019, leading to widespread ash fall, the displacement of local communities, and the temporary closure of the international airport in Hoskins.

Other

• Benin – GOV.UK – Driving standards and road conditions in Benin are poor. Avoid driving outside towns and cities at night as roads are poorly lit. During the rainy season (April to mid July and mid September to October in the South, and from June to September in the North) there are potential rain bouts which cause flooding, particularly in rural areas. Fuel shortages are common in rural areas of northern Benin. Police sometimes carry out vehicle checks at temporary road blocks in an effort to improve road safety and reduce the number of car jacking’s.
• Bulgaria – GOV.UK – England take on Bulgaria in Sofia on 14 October 2019. If you’re travelling to Sofia for the match you should check the GOV.UK dedicated advice page.
• Portugal – GOV.UK – Rangers FC take on Porto FC in the Europa League at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto on Thursday 24 October 2019.  If you’re travelling to Sofia for the match you should check the GOV.UK dedicated advice page.

Ebola News

• Democratic Republic of the Congo – ECDC – Since the previous CDTR and as of 9 October 2019, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported ten additional confirmed cases. During the same period, seven deaths among confirmed cases were reported. One additional healthcare worker was reported to be among these new cases. There has been a decline in the number of cases reported in recent weeks, with zero cases reported on 5 October 2019. However, this situation remains highly contingent upon the level of access and security. The recent cases are restricted to a defined geographical area, with the hotspots in rural, hard-to-reach communities instead of the urban areas where the hotspots were previously located. On 10 October 2019, the IHR Emergency Committee on Ebola virus disease in the DRC reconvened for the fifth time to assess whether the ongoing outbreak still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and review the temporary recommendations that are in place to manage the outbreak. During this meeting it was decided to keep the PHEIC; it was mentioned that it is impossible to say the outbreak is over, but that the virus has been significantly contained.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – WHO – In mid-September, serious security incidents in Lwemba Health Area, Mandima Health Zone, stalled outbreak response activities for more than two weeks. Response activities have since resumed but remain limited. Improved access may result in enhanced case finding and contact tracing therefore could result in an increase in the number of reported cases and contacts in the area. The last assessment, carried out on 8 October 2019, concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo – UN News – Ebola. “It is impossible to say outbreak is over, it’s not,” said Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme. “It is impossible to predict where the outbreak is going to go next…but we have significantly contained the virus in a much smaller geographic area; now we have to kill the virus.”
• Tanzania – ECDC, UN News – So far, there has been no new confirmed technical information regarding a death due to an unknown illness in Tanzania.  Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergency Programme said “Our concerns around that are purely to do with the depth of the investigation and the sharing of information with us, so that we could make a full and complete risk assessment. We have no information at this time of any new clusters of cases or any extension of any cases of any severe emerging disease at this point.”

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.