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Violent Protests in Mexico City; Human Death in China Likely Due to Avian Flu

17 August 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.

Mexico - August 15, 2006 - Protesters, Federal Police Clash; Spanish Embassy Blockaded
On Monday, supporters of leftist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and Federal Protection Police clashed outside the Congress in downtown Mexico City. At least 20 people were injured in the confrontation, including 15 Revolutionary Democratic Party (PRD) legislators who were involved in the protest. Outfitted in full riot gear, police used tear gas to disperse protesters from the area.

In an incident early Tuesday, approximately 50 Lopez Obrador sympathizers reportedly blocked access to the Spanish Embassy in the Polanco area of in Mexico City.

Yesterday’s violent confrontation marked the first major incident of violence associated with the disputed presidential election. All sides have condemned the violent confrontation; however, it comes amid heightened tensions and could lead to additional confrontations that may also turn violent.

It is assessed that protest activity will continue in Mexico City and around the country for the next two weeks. Demonstrations and more aggressive protest actions are likely to increase in tempo and intensity closer to the Tribunal’s final ruling. Party officials have hinted that tollbooths around the country will continue to be occupied and government offices may be sporadically blocked. Severe travel delays in Mexico City can be expected to continue.

International SOS has deployed an Incident Management Team to Mexico to assess the situation and prepare for client support operations. Travel to Mexico may proceed. While visiting Mexico City, members should review their itineraries and establish plans for alternate travel routes and modes of transportation, minimizing the use of public transportation. Members are encouraged to avoid all protest activity, even that appearing peaceful in nature. For more information, please contact the International SOS security center in Philadelphia at +1 215 942 8226.

China - August 15, 2006 - Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak in Shanxi Province
An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis has killed at least 19 people and infected 65 in the northern province of Shanxi since the middle of July. The patients were infected by mosquitoes in Yuncheng, a city in southern Shanxi.

Japanese encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes that proliferate in waterlogged areas. In northern China, the disease is most active from May through September. The government has announced that urgent measures will be taken to combat the disease, though no specific details were provided. Cases of Japanese encephalitis occur in almost all provinces of China, and the disease is endemic in southern China.

Japanese encephalitis occurs in rural agricultural areas throughout Asia and the Pacific. Around 80 percent of the humans infected with Japanese encephalitis experience the disease causes lethargy, coma, and has a mortality rate of up to 25 percent. Approximately 30 percent of the patients who survive encephalitis have permanent brain damage.

Japanese encephalitis vaccination is generally recommended for expatriates and travelers who will spend more than 30 days in endemic areas during summer. In view of the current outbreak, all people living in or traveling to affected areas should consider vaccination. For more information on prevention, please contact International SOS.

China - August 14, 2006 - Human Infection with H5N1 Avian Flu in China
China's Ministry of Health announced that a 62-year-old farmer who died on July 12 had H5N1 avian flu. He lived in the northwestern province of Xinjiang and first became ill on June 19. Initially, he tested negative for avian flu. However, additional testing run in July and August showed positive results for H5N1. The man does not appear to have had contact with sick birds, and he had not traveled prior to developing symptoms. Although poultry outbreaks were reported in the province in June, none occurred near the man's home. This is Xinjiang's first human case. Investigations into the source of his illness continue.

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.

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