World Status Report

This report intends to give the UTD Community a snapshot of international risks, and other issues as reported by the linked media and official sources from the U.S. and other countries.

More health and security information for each country can be found in the travel advisories issued by the governments of the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, and the CDC, ECDC, and WHO sites. Not all advise in these sites will apply to US travelers.

Please note the publication date of this report and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this report may change without prior notice.

Security

• Iran’s morality police to resume headscarf patrols (BBC). Iran’s morality police are to resume controversial street patrols to enforce the dress code requiring women to cover their hair and wear loose clothing.
• Haiti human rights group warns kidnappings and killings are on the rise after a brief respite (AP News). A leading human rights group in Haiti warned about an upsurge in killings and kidnappings as the U.N. Security Council met Friday to discuss the country’s worsening violence.
• Another journalist killed in Mexico amid rising cartel violence (AP News). Another journalist was killed in Mexico on Saturday, adding to a growing list of reporters who have lost their lives amid an intensifying drug war in the country, authorities and a press freedom organization said.

Demonstrations

• The UN human rights office (OHCHR) on Friday said it was very concerned over reports of police in Kenya using excessive force to quell protests this week which have left dozens dead and injured (UN News). The demonstrations began over what many Kenyans view as unfair tax hikes and rising inflation in the country, according to news reports.
• Thousands rally, block highways as final vote on Israeli judicial bill looms (Reuters). Israeli protesters blocked highways and briefly mobbed the stock exchange on a “Day of Disruption” on Tuesday as legislators prepared to ratify one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s disputed judicial bills before parliament goes on summer recess.

Infrastructure

• Understanding the Implications of No Black Sea Grain Deal (VOA). Russia said Monday it is ending its participation in a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine safe passage to export grain from three Ukrainian ports past Russian warships on the Black Sea.

Natural Disasters

• South Korea – Floods and landslides update (ERCC). Heavy rainfall has been affecting South Korea since 9 July, causing floods and landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage. As of 18 July, media reports indicate 49 deaths, with the highest number of 19 people dead in North Chungcheong Province.
• India – Flood updates (ERCC). India’s northern states were devastated by constant rain, which led to extensive flooding and landslides. Rivers spilling above the danger mark have caused considerable infrastructure and property damage in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, which have been the worst hit states.
• Vietnam – Severe weather (ERCC). On 13 July, heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and strong winds affected Hong Thai, Phan Thanh, and Luong In Son Communes (Bình Thuan Province) in south-eastern Vietnam, resulting in casualties and damage.
• Greece – Wildfire (ERCC). A huge wildfire has been burning across the area of the Neo Kouvaras village (central East Attica Region, central Greece). The wildfire started on 17 July in the afternoon and is currently not fully contained. According to the JRC’s European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the burnt area is of at least 3,500 hectares
• USA – Flash floods (ERCC). Heavy rain has been affecting eastern United States (particularly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire States) over the past few days, triggering flash floods and floods that have resulted in casualties and damage.
• Indonesia, Malaysia – Floods and landslides (ERCC). Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern Indonesia (in particular Sumatra Island) and neighbouring Peninsular Malaysia (particularly the southern States of Melaka and Johor) since 13 July, causing floods and landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage.
• Spain – Wildfire (ERCC). A huge wildfire has been burning across north-western La Palma Island, the north-westernmost island of the Canary Islands, Spain. The wildfires started on 15 July around 1:00 UTC and currently it is affecting Puntagorda, Tijarafe and Garafía Municipalities. According to the National Civil Defense (DSN), as of 17 July, the burnt area is approximately of 4,000 hectares and the wildfire is currently not fully contained.

Health

• Avian influenza in domestic cats and foxes in fur farms – Poland and Finland – 2023 (ECDC). Twenty-four domestic cats and a captive caracal (also known as a desert lynx) tested positive for avian influenza A(H5N1) in Poland. Even though risk to the population is considered low, taking into consideration the currently available information, the ECDC advises avoiding contact with dead or sick cats and practice proper hand hygiene when handling or feeding cats. Polish authorities advise owners of pet cats to prevent their cats coming into contact with other animals or objects from outside their homes and enhance hygiene measures. And on 13 July 2023, the Finnish Food Authority reported that avian influenza was detected in foxes on fur farms in Finland.
• London is at risk of a major measles outbreak that could result in tens of thousands of cases (The Guardian), the UK Health Security Agency has warned. Without an improvement in MMR vaccination rates, the capital could experience an outbreak of between 40,000 and 160,0000 cases, fresh analysis by the UKHSA suggests. Experts said an outbreak of this scale could lead to dozens of deaths and thousands of people hospitalised.
• The heatwave engulfing the northern hemisphere is set to intensify (Reuters), leading to an increased risk of heart attacks and deaths, according to the World Meteorological Organization. Temperatures in North America, Asia, and across North Africa and the Mediterranean will be above 40°C for a prolonged number of days this week, the WMO said.

Please note the publication date of this report and go to the direct sources linked for the most up-to-date information. The information in this report may change without prior notice.

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