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.
Russia - December 27 - Bombs Detonate in St. Petersburg Stores
A bomb detonated in two separate stores of a home improvement franchise in St. Petersburg yesterday. The bombs released an irritating yet non-lethal gas causing at least 77 people to become ill. Reports indicate Russian officials said the gas used in the bombs was a form of mercaptan.
A total of four bombs were placed in four separate franchise stores in St. Petersburg. Only two of the four bombs detonated. Police found the last two devices and successfully defused them before they detonated.
At this point in time, Russian authorities are ruling out terrorism as a possible motive for the bombings. A spokesman for the Russian Interior Ministry attributed the bombs to "gangsters" and organized crime. A majority of Russians celebrate the Orthodox Christmas on January 7. At this time many Russians are still shopping for gifts. A likely motivation for the bombing was to deter consumers from shopping at stores affiliated with that specific franchise. The possibility of further acts of low level vandalism and sabotage by rival criminal networks cannot be discounted.
International SOS advises its members that travel to Russia may proceed, however separatists are capable of operating throughout the country and CIS. Government buildings, public transportation, hotels, tourist sites, markets and residential complexes have all been targeted in the past. International SOS members should maintain a high degree of vigilance and report any suspicious activity immediately. Travel to Chechnya and areas along its border are not advised.
Sri Lanka - December 27- Continuing Tension Threatens Ceasefire
A series of attacks between LTTE rebels and Sri Lankan military forces have continued to put the existing ceasefire in jeopardy during the holiday season. These attacks started on December 25, when Joseph Pararajasingham, a senior leader in the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA), was fatally shot at a midnight church service in Batticaloa.
On December 26, government forces killed two suspected rebels during a search operation in the same area, claiming that the men had attempted to attack Sri Lankan troops.
On December 27, a suspected Tamil Tiger ambush resulted in the deaths of up to ten government soldiers traveling in an army bus near Point Pedro, a town in the north of Sri Lanka. Indications from local military sources are that the bus may have been hit by a claymore mine.
International SOS advises its members that essential business travel to Sri Lanka can proceed. Members are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to the districts of Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Amparai, and Vavuniya due to the continuing risk from violence. International SOS Members seeking further travel and security advice should contact International SOS.
Israel - December 27- Israel Enforces "Buffer Zone"
Israeli forces are enforcing a "buffer zone" in the Gaza Strip meant to reduce the number of rocket attacks against southern Israeli targets. The "buffer zone" is approximately 5km wide and includes the towns of Beit Hanun and Beit Lahia. Reports indicate Israeli helicopters fired missiles today targeting suspected al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade buildings as well as roads known to be smuggling routes for rockets.
The creation of the "buffer zone" is a reaction to increased rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. The town of Sderot has been the frequent target of rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Further militant rocket attacks against southern Israeli targets should be expected.
International SOS advises its members to defer non-essential travel to Israel and avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip and West Bank. For members wishing to travel to the region, we recommend contacting International SOS security for individualized risk assessment and planning before departure.
Romania - December 27- Bird Flu Update
Avian influenza A/H5N1 outbreaks continue to affect many regions in Romania. Chickens and ducks have been detected with the disease in Braila, Buzau, Calarasi, Ialomita, and Tulcea counties.
The Danube Delta region became affected in October by the highly pathogenic bird flu strain A/H5N1. Presumably, migrating wild birds introduced the virus. The first outbreak was detected in the village of Ceamurlia-de-Jos, Tulcea County. Subsequent outbreaks were reported in Maliuc, Vulturu and Caraorman counties.
Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia and China all reported outbreaks in November 2005. The information available to date indicates that the avian influenza virus has not yet acquired the ability to pass easily from person to person. 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
International SOS alerts are compiled through numerous resources including physicians and security experts on the ground in 48 countries, and individuals coordinating information from a broad range of resources, including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and the US State Department.
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