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Security Concerns in Kinshasa, DRC; Dengue Fever on the Rise in Pakistan

27 October 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.

October 26 - Democratic Republic of Congo- Heightened Security in Kinshasa ahead of Polls

The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), MONUC, is stepping up security ahead of the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for October 29. UN troops are guarding the house of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the vice president, and one of the two presidential candidates. In order to support MONUC efforts in the capital Kinshasa, EU forces, (EUFOR) are conducting up to seven vehicle-mounted patrols per day. On October 24, Bemba’s supporters tried to provoke a fight with a group of Kabila supporters who were parading. International and local authorities arrived quickly and dispersed the crowds.

Meanwhile, the US State Department issued a travel warning on October 20, "authorizing the departure of family members of Embassy personnel who wish to leave during the upcoming presidential run-off election period". US authorities also advised US citizens who choose to remain in Kinshasa despite the warning to "evaluate their security situation and consider departing".

As the country prepares to choose its president and provincial legislators on October 29, hostile campaigning by rival candidates, President Joseph Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, has underscored ethnic divisions and increased violence in the run-up to the polls. The capital Kinshasa and its surrounding areas have been relatively calm until now.

The biggest risk ahead of the elections remains the numbers of weapons in circulation. However, and despite the violence that followed the first round of elections in July, international observers suggest that the October 29 vote will largely be peaceful.

International SOS assesses that the potential for violence will remain through the October 29 polls. There is also potential for violence after the election day, when results are expected to be announced on November 19. Although calm and normal, the situation in Kinshasa remains fragile, and could easily be derailed. International SOS advises members to defer non-essential travel to the DRC at this stage. For more information on the situation in the DRC, please contact your nearest International SOS alarm center.

October 25, 2006 - Pakistan- Dengue Outbreak Spreading
An outbreak of dengue fever that began in June 2006 has killed 25 people in Sindh province, 23 of whom were from Karachi. At least half of the deaths occurred in October. About 160 people remain hospitalized in the port city, and as many as 1,500 are believed to be infected throughout Sindh. 

The Eid holiday caused increased travel, and the outbreak spread to northern Pakistan. Cases have been reported in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), as well as Islamabad and the adjacent city of Rawalpindi. It is difficult to assess the extent of the outbreak, as test kits are in short supply. Demand is growing rapidly, and production and shipment has been slow due to the holiday. 

Health officials have put many hospitals on high alert. The health department started a blood drive campaign to help those infected with the disease. Karachi is the provincial capital of the southern Sindh province, and is a major financial and commercial center in Pakistan. It is the second most populous city in the world. Dengue or "break-bone" fever is a viral disease found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is transmitted by a specific type of mosquito that bites during the day and is often found in and around human habitation. Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, cough, and joint and muscle pain. A rash often follows these symptoms. The acute illness can last up to ten days, and complete recovery can take two to four weeks.

As there is no vaccine, preventing mosquito bites is the only way to prevent dengue fever.  Please contact your nearest International SOS alarm center to learn more about dengue fever in Pakistan and travel precautions.

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