internationalsos.com - Press releases

Aviation authorities have restricted operating hours for chartered flights in Brazil to ease pressure on the country's airports during peak travel times. Chartered flights will not be allowed to operate in Brazil from 07:00-09:00 and 17:00-20:00 until December 15. The flights will also be grounded during the busy Sunday evening travel period. Officials suggest that the new schedule may continue until February or March if commercial flight delays are not resolved.

On Monday, a power failure at an air traffic control in the city of Curitiba, approximately 400 kilometers southwest of Sao Paolo, lead to flight delays to and from the city for most of the day. The power failure occurred during work to modernize the system. Power was restored after an hour.

The decision by authorities to restrict operating hours for chartered flights comes in the wake of constant flight delays since October. Widespread flight delays in Brazil's major airports have been triggered by a slowdown in air traffic operations when air traffic controllers, seeking better wages and better working conditions, decided to strictly follow air traffic regulations.

Travel to Brazil can proceed. International SOS Members with air travel in Brazil are advised to contact their respective airlines to confirm flight times prior to departure and to allocate sufficient time for travel due to anticipated flight delays. For more information on travel to Brazil, please contact your nearest International SOS Alarm Center.

December 8, 2006 – Jamaica - Malaria in Kingston

An outbreak of malaria that began in October has infected 43 people in Kingston and Sydenham, according to the country's health minister. These are the first cases of malaria to occur in Jamaica since the disease was eliminated there in 1954. Two of those infected are children, and one is a US resident who was in Jamaica from October 29 to November 6. The falciparum species has been confirmed to be the cause of all cases, and is sensitive to the antimalarial drug chloroquine.

Local health authorities are investigating the outbreak and have begun a campaign to control mosquito-breeding sites through spraying and by removing stagnant water. Investigators have also gone door-to-door to look for cases in affected areas.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending that travelers who will stay overnight in Kingston should take the medication chloroquine to prevent malaria. It is expected that this recommendation will be temporary. Travelers arriving and departing by air are being given "health alert" cards advising them about the outbreak. Any passenger coming from a country where malaria occurs (as reported on their incoming immigration card) will undergo a secondary screening.

If not promptly treated, malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum can be fatal. As chloroquine is not 100 percent effective, all travelers to Kingston should also take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Please contact your nearest international SOS Alarm Center for more information on how to prevent malaria.

November 28, 2006 - South Korea - Third Outbreak of Avian Flu in South Korean Poultry

A third farm in North Cholla province has reported H5N1 avian flu infections among its birds. This facility, which raises quail, is about 18 km (11 mi) from the two farms that reported avian flu outbreaks several weeks ago. It is unclear at this stage whether H5N1 had spread from those farms or whether the virus was introduced by migratory birds. The newly affected farm lost hundreds of quail to the disease in the past several days and will cull the rest of the flock.

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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