International Education > Archive > Category: World Status Report

112515 – World Status Report

November 25, 2015

Avoid Nonessential Travel

CDC

  • Ebola standing travel notice. CDC urges all US residents to avoid nonessential travel to Guinea because of an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola.

U.S. Department of State

  • North Korea Travel Warning. The Department of State strongly recommends against all travel by U.S. citizens to North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or DPRK).
  • Afghanistan Travel Warning. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Afghanistan.
  • Chad Travel Warning. The State Department warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Chad. U.S. citizens already in Chad should continue to avoid all travel to border regions, particularly those areas adjacent to Chad’s eastern border and the Lake Chad region.
  • Burundi Travel Warning. The State Department continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Burundi and recommends U.S. citizens avoid non-essential travel.
  • Iraq Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Iraq.

Security Messages for U.S. Citizens

  • U.S. Embassy in Belgium. The U.S. Embassy in Brussels informs U.S. citizens that the current threat level remains at Level 4 (serious threat of imminent attack) for Brussels, and Level 3 (high) for the rest of the country.

Take Enhanced Precautions

CDC

  • MERS advisory. CDC does not recommend that travelers to the Arabian Peninsula or the Republic of Korea change their plans because of MERS, however does recommend practicing hygiene measures such as regular handwashing; avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth; and avoiding close contact with sick people.
  • Polio advisory. CDC recommends that all travelers to Nigeria, Madagascar, Laos, Ukraine, and Guinea be fully vaccinated against polio. In addition, adults who have been fully vaccinated should receive a single lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
  • Ebola advisory. CDC is no longer recommending that US residents avoid nonessential travel to Sierra Leone. However, CDC recommends that US residents practice enhanced precautions. CDC is no longer recommending that US residents practice enhanced precautions when traveling to Liberia. Although there is believed to be no risk of Ebola to travelers, travelers should, as usual, avoid contact with sick people, dead bodies, or blood and body fluids.
  • Mosquito borne illness advisory. CDC recommends that travelers to the countries listed protect themselves from the noted illnesses by preventing mosquito bites. Chikungunya: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and Mexico. Zika Virus: Suriname and Colombia. Dengue: Malaysia.
  • Poultry advisory. CDC recommends that travelers to the countries listed protect themselves from the noted illnesses by avoiding contact with wild birds, live or uncooked poultry, and body fluids from birds and poultry (including those in poultry markets and farms). Avian Flu (H7N9): China. Bird Flu (H5N1): Egypt.
  • Mumps in Scotland. CDC recommends that travelers to Scotland protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against mumps before travel.
  • Measles in Germany. CDC recommends that travelers to Germany protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles.
  • Cholera in Tanzania. CDC recommends that travelers to Tanzania practice good hand washing and follow food and water precautions.

U.S. Department of State

  • Burkina Faso Travel Alert. U.S. citizens are reminded of the risks of travel to Burkina Faso and urged to exercise caution while traveling within Burkina Faso during the election season.
  • Worldwide Travel Alert. The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to possible risks of travel due to increased terrorist threats.
  • Kenya Travel Warning. The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of traveling to Kenya.
  • Bangladesh Travel Alert. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to concerns about the ongoing potential for extremist violence in Bangladesh. U.S. citizens who travel to Bangladesh are urged to exercise appropriate caution and maintain a high level of vigilance in light of recent violent attacks.
  • Honduras Travel Warning. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens that the level of crime and violence in Honduras remains critically high, although it has declined in the past two years.
  • Philippines Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area.
  • South Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season – 2015 – 2016. The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to the South Pacific region about the ongoing threat of tropical cyclones affecting the area.
  • Burkina Faso Travel Warning. The Department of State on October 9 terminated the “Authorized Departure” status which allowed eligible family members and non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou to voluntarily depart the country on September 21.  Eligible family members and non-emergency personnel who departed Burkina Faso may now return.
  • Nepal Travel Warning. The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Nepal following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25.

Security Messages for U.S. Citizens

  • U.S. Embassy in Mali. The recommendation to shelter in place following attacks at the Radisson Hotel has been lifted.  The U.S. Embassy continues to urge all U.S. citizens to remain vigilant of their surroundings and to minimize movement around Bamako.  Continue monitoring local media for updates and adhere to the instructions of local authorities.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

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.