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Terrorist Attacks in Colombia; Dozens asked to Self-quarantine in Flu-affected area of Indonesia

25 May 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.

Colombia - May 22, 2006 - Terrorist Threat Ahead of Election
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) is being blamed for two bombings and a series of grenade attacks ahead of Colombia’s Presidential elections on May 28. Last week, a campaign building associated with President Uribe was bombed in Pereira. Buenaventura’s electrical grid was bombed on May 19, leaving Colombia’s largest port city without electrical power for most of the weekend.

In the time leading up to the May 28 election, FARC is likely to coordinate more attacks in an effort to discredit President Uribe. Despite the threat of near-term attacks, most forecasts have President Uribe easily winning re-election.

International SOS advises its members to avoid all protests and political rallies even if they appear peaceful in nature. Members should exercise extreme vigilance and maintain a low profile when traveling throughout Colombia. If you have further questions regarding the security situation in Colombia, please contact the International SOS regional security center in Philadelphia at (215) 942 8226.

Vietnam - May 20, 2006 - Rubella outbreak in Ho Chi Minh City
There is a reported outbreak of rubella in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Thanh Nien News reported that at least 400 employees in a manufacturing zone have been infected. Many of these employees reside in communal dormitories. City health officials have visited the affected site and infected people's homes to implement containment measures.

The Ministry of Health has temporarily banned a vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella following the death of a child in early May. Five other children had a reaction requiring hospitalization, though 94 other children vaccinated at the same time have remained healthy. The situation is under investigation.

An outbreak of almost 800 cases of rubella occurred in 2005 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Rubella is a mild infectious disease, however it is important that pregnant women avoid infection as rubella can cause fetal loss and severe birth defects known collectively as congenital rubella syndrome.

In most countries, children are given two doses of "MMR", a vaccine covering measles, mumps and rubella, once between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second time between the ages of 4-6 or 11-12 years old. The vaccine usually gives life-long immunity to these three diseases.

If you have not had a rubella vaccination or are unsure of your vaccination history, consider being vaccinated against rubella before traveling to affected parts of Vietnam. People who live with or work closely with children should strongly consider receiving the vaccination. Women of childbearing age should discuss their immunity to rubella with International SOS or a travel health advisor.

Indonesia - May 25, 2006 - Over 30 People asked to Self-quarantine
Officials have asked 33 residents of the remote village of Kubu Simbelang in north Sumatra to stay at home and avoid contact with others. These people have had close contact with at least one of the seven family members infected with A/H5N1 avian influenza virus who comprise the world's largest human cluster of the virus to date. Although the World Health Organization has not seen significant viral changes indicating that avian flu is now able to move easily from person to person, neither have they been able to rule out human-to-human transmission in the family cluster. The search for the source of infection continues. Meanwhile, authorities report that these 33 people are willing to stay at home to protect others in the village from potential infection. None of the 33 have shown symptoms or tested positive for the disease.

For more information on the developing situation in Indonesia, please contact International SOS.

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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