Health & Safety Updates
University of Maryland Swine Flu Update
International Travel Safety Information for Students
Worldwide Caution
July 29, 2009
The Department of State has issued this Worldwide Caution to update information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against American citizens and interests throughout the world. In some countries, the worldwide recession has contributed to political and economic instability and social unrest. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide Caution dated February 2, 2009 to provide updated information on security threats and terrorist activities worldwide.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings. The July 17 bombing of the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, where at least nine people were killed and six Americans were among the 50 or more injured; the February 2009 kidnapping of an American UNHCR official in Pakistan; the kidnapping of four European tourists in January on the Mali-Niger border; the kidnapping of two Canadian diplomats in Niger in December 2008; and the kidnapping of NGO workers along the Kenya-Somali border in July 2009 all illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to strike Western targets and perceived interests.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays. Terrorists attacked two hotels, a railway station, restaurant, hospital, and other locations frequented by Westerners in Mumbai, India, on November 26, 2008. Over 170 persons are believed to have been killed, including six Americans, and
hundreds were injured. On September 20, 2008, terrorists bombed the Islamabad Marriott Hotel killing two U.S. Department of Defense employees and one Department of State contractor. One private American sustained minor injuries. A July 9, 2008, terrorist attack on Turkish police guarding the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey, killed three police officers and wounded other police personnel. The March 15, 2008, bombing of an Italian restaurant in Islamabad, Pakistan, injured several Americans.
Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack
public transportation systems. Bombs exploded near city buses in Tripoli, Lebanon, on August 13 and September 29, 2008, killing twenty-one people. Other incidents include multiple anti-personnel mine detonations on passenger buses in June 2008 in Sri Lanka, multiple terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid. Extremists also may select aviation and maritime services as possible targets, such as the August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, or the December 2006 bomb at Madrid's Barajas International Airport. In June 2007, a vehicle was driven into the main terminal at Glasgow International Airport and burst into flames, but the bomb failed to detonate.
Travel Alert for Argentina
July 14, 2009 - expires on September 14, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans at high risk for complications of influenza and considering travel to areas affected by 2009-H1N1 influenza, such as Argentina, discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the 2009-H1N1 flu situation at their destination including available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by 2009-H1N1 flu.
Travel Alert: China - H1N1 Quarantine Measures
July 10, 2009
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Travel Alert to make travelers aware of the quarantine measures being taken by the Chinese government. Any member of the Maryland community planning to travel to China is strongly encouraged to review this Travel Alert.
Possible International Travel Delays Due to flu screening
June 1, 2009
Due to the outbreak of novel H1N1 flu occurring in the United States and many other countries, airport staff in some countries may check the health of arriving passengers. Many countries, including Japan and China, are screening arriving passengers for illness due to novel H1N1 flu. These health screenings are being used to prevent the spread of novel H1N1 flu.
If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness you should not travel. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Travelers should be aware that since the novel H1N1 flu outbreak is occurring in the United States, flights from the United States arriving in other countries may be specifically targeted for screening. United States travelers may be checked for fever and other symptoms of novel H1N1 flu and their travel may be delayed.
If you travel internationally from the United States, you may be asked to:
- Pass through a scanning device that checks your temperature (the device may look like an airport metal detector, a camera, or a handheld device)
- Have your temperature taken with an oral or ear thermometer
- Fill out a sheet of questions about your health
- Be quarantined for a period of time if a passenger on your flight is found to have symptoms of novel H1N1 flu
- And, if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, you may be asked to:
- Have a medical examination
- Take a rapid flu test which consists of a nasal swab sample
- Be isolated if you are showing signs of respiratory illness consistent with novel H1N1 flu
CDC strongly encourages all passengers to cooperate with these procedures. Please note that the U.S. Department of State usually cannot interfere with the right of other countries to screen airline passengers entering or exiting their countries. Please consult the embassy of the country you will be traveling to for further information about entry screening procedures (see Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions for contact information)
May 14, 2009
The Study Abroad, in close cooperation with the University of Maryland's Health Center, is closely monitoring the outbreak of an infection known as 'Swine Flu'. Cases have been documented in several countries, including the United States. We will continue to monitor this situation, especially via the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other public health professionals. We will follow their recommendations.