Cambodia saw a 41% increase in cases of malaria in 2009, with some 83,200 cases recorded compared to nearly 58,900 cases in 2008, a spokesperson for the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology, and Malaria Control said on April 27th. Malaria killed some 279 people in 2009 compared to 209 in 2008. A natural cyclical rise in cases reported every two to three years, an earlier-than-usual rainy season, internal migration to areas affected by malaria, and a late distribution of netting as causes for the spike reportedly led to the rise in cases.
Monthly Archive for April, 2010
April 27, 2010. Shutdown strike declared in much of Western and central India
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SOURCE: |
Altegrity Risk International |
Communist and opposition parties launched 12-hour strikes across much of India on April 27th, with Communist-ruled West Bengal, Tripura, and Kerala states worst affected by the unrest, to protest rising food and fuel prices. The strike also impacted parts of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar states. The strike disrupted air and train services to West Bengal with few reporting for work in the state. Only 10 out of the 25 domestic and international flights scheduled for the morning of April 27th reportedly took off from Kolkata’s International Airport. Educational institutions also shut down in West Bengal and Kerala states. The demonstrators disrupted rail transportation in parts of Uttar Pradesh state and burned three buses in that state’s Lucknow. Toilets in Kolkata’s airport closed as striking workers locked them although tea harvesting operations continued as normal in West Bengal as owners threatened to cut striking workers’ wages. Protesters blocked traffic on national and state highways in Orissa state, while private and public transportation also ground to a halt in Kerala state. Jharkhand state suffered the effect of the protest as well as a 48-hour shutdown strike declared by Maoist militants.
U.S. Consulate São Paulo released the following Warden Message on April 23, 2010:
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens planning to travel to the southern coast of São Paulo State that, since Sunday, April 18, 2010, 13 murders have occurred in the beach neighborhoods of Praia Grande, Santos, São Vicente and Guarujá. Local police are among the victims of what appears to be gang activity. Due to the possibility of continued incidents, the U.S. Consulate recommends U.S. citizens avoid these areas until further notice.
The Department of State continues to monitor security conditions overseas and, as always, will promptly disseminate information affecting the safety of Americans abroad through its consular information program. These documents are available on the Department’s internet website at www.travel.state.gov.
U.S. Embassy Asuncion released the following Warden Message on April 23:
This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Paraguay to recent security incidents in the Department of Concepcion.
On April 21, 2010, four people were murdered in rural Concepcion. The Government of Paraguay suspects the involvement of the Paraguayan People’s Army (EPP), a nascent insurgent group responsible for a number of high profile kidnappings, bombings and other attacks over the past five years.
Both houses of the Paraguayan Congress have approved a “State of Exception” for 30 days in the following departments: Alto Paraguay, Amambay, Concepcion, President Hayes, and San Pedro. Although the details of the “State of Exception” have not been defined by the Government of Paraguay, travelers can expect an increased police and military presence in these departments. Roadblocks, vehicle checks and roving police and military patrols are likely.
American citizens are advised to use caution, and to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings when traveling in these areas. Report any suspicious activity to the Paraguayan National Police.
U.S. Embassy Kingston released the following Warden Message on April 21, 2010:
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston alerts U.S. citizens of recent reports of robberies at banks and ATM machines in the New Kingston area.
The modus operandi for the robberies appears to be two young males on a small red motorcycle casing local New Kingston banks and or ATM machines. The robbers wait in the area of the banks and follow females who have just exited the bank or ATM machines. When they have opportunity, they grab the victim’s purse and flee on the motorcycle.
Americans are advised to exercise caution and careful security awareness upon exiting New Kingston area banks or ATMs. Once in your vehicle, maintain awareness for young males riding motorcycles. If followed, call the police or drive to a police station and inform the police immediately.
The U.S. Department of State released the following Travel Alert on April 20, 2010:
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic in the aftermath of recent political demonstrations and subsequent unrest. The Department of State has authorized the voluntary departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from the Kyrgyz Republic. This replaces the Travel Alert for the Kyrgyz Republic dated April 9, 2010, and provides information on potential threats to U.S. citizens in the Kyrgyz Republic.
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the Kyrgyz Republic. In the aftermath of anti-government demonstrations on April 6-8, the situation remains unstable. We urge U.S. citizens to defer travel to the Kyrgyz Republic until the security situation improves, and alert U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the Kyrgyz Republic of the potential for further instability. There remains a persistent danger of further demonstrations, unrest, and crime. Demonstrations could occur without warning, sometimes resulting in injury or death. We remind U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. U.S. citizens remaining in the Kyrgyz Republic are urged to avoid the areas of large gatherings and demonstrations, including peaceful demonstrations.
If you have purchased our Day Tripper or Atlas plans, then please contact the 24 hour telephone assistance number located on your ID card for evacuation assistance.
U.S. Embassy Tallinn released the following Warden Message on April 15, 2010:
The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn advises American citizens of heightened border controls, road closures and identification checks during the period of April 17-23, 2010. Tallinn will host a meeting of NATO foreign ministers and a variety of related events. During this period a number of high-level visitors will arrive in Estonia, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Please be advised of the following:
Return to Pre-Schengen Border Controls: From April 17-23, entrance through all land, sea and air borders will require a passport check. This includes the Tallinn ferry port and road crossings from Latvia. Please keep in mind this temporary, but important condition when planning travel during this period.
Road Closures: Estonian police will be closing numerous roads in Tallinn during this week, especially on April 22 and 23. In particular, roads near the Radisson, Swissotel and Olympia hotels, Toompea hill, Parnu, Narva and Estonia streets southeast of the Old Town and Tartu street between the airport and the central city. Closures may occur unexpectedly and drivers are advised to remain alert.
Identification Checks: Both drivers and pedestrians may be asked to show identification to police during this week. American citizens are advised to carry identification with them at all times. The Embassy encourages citizens to be patient and courteous if asked to present identification.
Drifting ash from an erupting Icelandic volcano will disrupt flights across Europe until at least April 18th, reports indicated on April 16th. Some 17,000 flights were canceled on April 16th, as much of the airspace in Northern and Western Europe remained closed. Almost half of the 300 transatlantic flights that would have arrived in Europe this morning were canceled, while only an expected 11,000 out of a normal 28,000 flights in Europe were expected to take place on April 16th.
Restrictions in Britain’s airspace were extended until at least 1am on April 17th, while exceptions were allowed for Northern Ireland and western Scotland. Twenty-four airports in northern France were shut down, including Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, while most German airports were closed. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium also closed their airspace. Poland closed most of its airports, including Krakow, while restrictions were put on Austrian and Czech airspace, the latter of which may see a complete closure. Most flights out of Bulgaria’s Sofia Airport were canceled.
However, as the volcanic ash drifted south, Sweden began to reopen its northern airspace and Norway allowed some flights in the north. The Irish Republic also reopened its airspace, excluding a section off the south coast, bringing Dublin, Shannon, and Cork airports into operation.
Eurostar train services between London, Paris, and Brussels were sold out on April 16th, and people were advised against going to London’s St. Pancras station to look for tickets. Experts said the effect of ash on people with respiratory problems will likely be short term.
U.S. Department of State released the following Travel Alert on April 13, 2010:
The State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Ethiopia before and after national parliamentary elections scheduled for May 23, 2010, and recommends against all but essential travel to Ethiopia during this period. This Travel Alert expires on July 1, 2010.
Past elections in Ethiopia have featured violence in Addis Ababa and other areas of the country throughout the campaign season, the election, and especially in the days and weeks following the announcement of election results. Election results are scheduled to be announced June 21, 2010.
U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Ethiopia during this period are reminded to maintain a high level of security awareness at all times and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind. U.S. citizens should avoid polling places on election day, and be aware that authorities will strictly enforce specific prohibitions such as photography at polling stations. U.S. citizens are advised to monitor the situation via local media sources and the Internet. Significant traffic congestion, shortages of lodging availability, and large crowds throughout the country, particularly in Addis Ababa, are likely to inconvenience travelers. In addition, telephone services may be disrupted, as occurred during the 2005 elections.
Travelers also are reminded that extremists from Somalia and the heavy military buildup along Ethiopia’s northern border pose risks to safety and security, particularly along Ethiopia’s borders and in the Somali region. In southern Ethiopia along the Kenyan border, banditry and incidents involving ethnic conflicts are also common. Travelers should exercise caution when traveling to any remote area of the country, including the borders with Eritrea, Somalia, Kenya and Sudan. Ethiopian security forces do not have a widespread presence in those regions.
April 9, 2010. CDC Updates Information About Measles
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SOURCE: |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
Measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world. Worldwide, an estimated 10 million cases and 164,000 deaths from measles occur each year. Measles is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths among young children. Measles outbreaks are common in many areas, including Europe. Although the risk for exposure to measles can be high for many U.S. travelers and citizens living in other countries (expatriates), the illness can be prevented by a vaccination.
Recent Outbreak Activity
Some examples of current measles activity include recent measles outbreaks have occurred in the Philippines and several countries in Africa.
* During January and February 2010, more than 1,300 cases of measles (including five deaths) were reported throughout the Philippines. Of these cases, more than 740 cases have been laboratory or clinically confirmed, which is twice as many confirmed measles cases as during the same time period last year. Measles outbreaks have been reported in the capital city of Manila and in 10 other areas of the country.
* Over the past year, several African countries have reported high numbers of measles cases. South Africa has had an ongoing outbreak of measles and has reported more than 9,000 confirmed cases during January 1 through March 12, 2010. Measles cases are being reported throughout the country, but a majority of the cases are occurring in Gauteng Province.
Because of the risk of measles in both developed and developing countries, all international travelers should be up to date on immunizations, regardless of the travel destination. In addition, expatriates should make sure they are vaccinated against measles, especially in areas where outbreaks are occurring, such as the countries listed above.
Advice for Travelers and Expatriates
* Be up to date on all routine vaccines, including measles vaccine.
* If you are traveling with a child, make sure he or she is up to date on all recommended vaccines. Measles vaccine, usually given as the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is generally first given at 12 months of age in the United States, but is recommended for children as young as 6 months of age who are traveling outside the United States. If your child is older than 6 months of age and is traveling internationally, talk to a doctor about getting the measles vaccine.
* Keep a copy of your immunization records with you as you travel.
* If you are an expatriate, make sure that you are immune to measles. If you are not immune, consider getting a measles vaccine from a reliable local health-care facility.
Additional Information
Measles is one of the most highly contagious infectious diseases. It is spread by contact with an infected person and through coughing and sneezing. Measles virus can remain active and contagious for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces.
People with measles usually have a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people who become sick with measles also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia. Many times people with measles are hospitalized. Although severe cases are rare, measles can become severe enough to cause swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and even death. Measles can cause especially severe disease in infants and in people who are malnourished or who have weakened immune systems from a medical condition (such as a result of HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, or cancer) or from certain drugs or therapies.
Information about the Vaccine
Vaccines that protect against measles are live-virus vaccines. Currently, the recommended vaccine, which is the only available vaccine for purchase in the United States, is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Information for Health-Care Providers
It is important to ensure that travelers are immune to measles before they travel internationally.
* Children 6–11 months of age who are traveling outside the United States
o Patients should receive a first dose of measles-containing vaccine.
o Remember: Measles or MMR vaccines given before 12 months of age should not be counted as part of the routine series. Children who receive measles or MMR vaccines before age 12 months will need two more doses of MMR vaccine, the first of which should be administered at 12–15 months of age (12 months if the child remains in a high-risk area), and the second at least 28 days later.
* Children 12 months or older, adolescents, and adults
o People who have received two doses of MMR or other live measles-containing vaccine are considered immune to measles.
o People are also considered immune to measles if they have had the diagnosis of measles documented by a physician, have laboratory evidence of immunity, or were born before 1957.
o People who cannot be considered immune based on the above criteria should receive MMR vaccine. See the adult vaccination schedule to determine if one or two doses (separated by at least 28 days) are needed.
If a patient has symptoms of a fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose, and a red, raised rash and has a history of any recent international travel, measles should be considered in diagnosis.