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Islamist Demonstrations in Jordan; New Human Case of Bird-Flu case confirmed near Hong Kong

22 June 2006

Philadelphia

International SOS, the world's leading provider of medical and security assistance services, international healthcare, and outsourced customer care, offers travel alerts to members traveling overseas to warn them of security risks or medical problems they may encounter at their destinations or en route. The following is a sample of locations that may represent current security and medical risks for global travelers.

Jordan - June 21, 2006 - Planned Demonstration in Support of Islamist Members of Parliament
The leader of a Jordanian Islamist political movement, Azzam al Hunaydi, yesterday urged the government not to oppose a planned demonstration this week in support of four members of parliament (MP’s) from his same Islamist movement. The four MP’s were arrested last week after they paid condolences to relatives of the former al Qaeda leader in Iraq , Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, following his death in a US bombing raid in Iraq on June 7.

The planned protest in solidarity with the four parliamentarians follows a series of demonstrations last week conducted by pro-government parties condemning their decision to visit al-Zarqawi's hometown. Local reports indicate that approximately 100,000 people would participate in the demonstration, and it is assessed this could be a source of significant tension in Jordan in the short term.

Travel to Jordan can proceed at this stage. International SOS members are advised to exercise a high degree of vigilance and security awareness due to the risk of terrorist attack. Members should avoid large public gatherings, marches and demonstrations as they could become violent.

International SOS members seeking additional information on this situation should contact the 24-hour Regional Security Centers in London or Paris.

India - June 21, 2006 - Outbreak of Chikungunya
An outbreak of chikungunya, a viral disease transmitted via mosquito bites, that began in April is spreading to more regions in India. In all, over 31,000 cases have been reported from 209 villages since December 2005.

In June, Chennai reported more than 100 suspected cases. Affected areas include Andhra Pradesh and Orissa, which are on the southeast coast. In the central state of Maharashtra, cases have been reported in Aurangabad, Latur, Malegaon, Nashik, Pune and Akola. The districts of Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa, Karnataka, Chittoor, Nalgonda, Prakasam and Guntur have also confirmed cases, as has Hyderabad City.

The outbreak is attributed to increased mosquito breeding. Officials are investigating the extent of the problem and implementing measures to bring it under control.

A large chikungunya outbreak has been occurring in the Indian Ocean Islands of Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Mayotte since January 2006, although the number of new cases is declining.

The incubation time of the disease is four to seven days. The first symptom is usually a sudden fever that lasts from two to five days. Severe joint pain is one of the disease's main symptoms; headache and rash are also common.

There is no cure for chikungunya; patients are usually instructed to rest. The disease is not fatal, though recovery takes several weeks during which the patient is intensely tired and has difficulty concentrating. The associated joint pain can last for several months, and patients may be more susceptible to other diseases.

As there is no vaccine, preventing mosquito bites is the only way to prevent chikungunya. Please contact International SOS for more information on how to prevent mosquito bites and travel information in India.

China - June 15 - New Human Case of Bird Flu confirmed near Hong Kong
A 31-year-old man announced sick earlier this week has tested positive for H5N1 avian flu. The patient is a truck driver from Shenzhen, a city in Guangdong province. He does not seem to have had contact with sick birds, though some reports say he ate a freshly slaughtered chicken his wife purchased at a local market about two weeks before becoming ill on June 3. Other reports say the man himself visited a wet market. No outbreaks among birds have been reported in the area. It is a 40-minute train ride from Shenzen to Hong Kong, and many people commute between the two areas for work or recreation. Hong Kong officials are screening people entering via land for fever and have increased screening measures for poultry imported from mainland China. Hong Kong authorities have expressed concerns that some Chinese poultry may be carrying the virus without showing symptoms, which may be possible in vaccinated birds. Humans who come into contact with such animals may not take proper hygiene measures to prevent infection, since the birds appear healthy.

Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. At least 22 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa have reported their first cases among birds since the beginning of 2006. For further information, see the International SOS Pandemic Preparedness Website. There, you can access the latest news, detailed information on flu-affected countries and pandemic preparedness planning information.

Medical and Security Alerts
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