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Commemorative Rally in Lebanon Devolves to Anti-Syria Demonstration; WHO Confirms Two More Fatal Cases of Avian Flu in Indonesia

15 February 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.

Lebanon - February 14, 2006 - Rally to Commemorate Leader's Assassination
Hundreds of thousands of people rallied today to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Harari. The rally was planned by Rafiq Harari's son in Beirut's Martyr's Square. While the rally was meant to commemorate Harari's death, it quickly turned into an anti-Syria demonstration. Several anti-Syria political leaders, including Harari's son, made speeches against Syrian influence in Lebanon's internal affairs.

In the year since Rafiq Harari's death, there have been several more targeted attacks against outspoken anti-Syria public figures.

Although Syria no longer maintains any overt military presence in Lebanon, there is evidence that covert elements of its security apparatus still exist in the country. The possibility of a pro-Syria counter-rally in Beirut within the next 48 hours cannot be discounted.

 

International SOS members are advised to maintain high levels of vigilance when in Lebanon. Travelers should avoid all demonstrations, minimize time spent in government buildings, and stay away from official motorcades.

Eritrea - February 14, 2006 - UN Staff Arrested
An undetermined number of UN staff were arrested over the weekend in Eritrea. The staff members are Eritrean citizens working with UN peacekeepers currently deployed along the demarcation line between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is unclear at this time what charges were brought against the arrested staff members.

The relationship between Eritrea and the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) is often strained. Eritrea blames the UN for not enforcing an independently mediated resolution to a border dispute with Ethiopia from 2000.

International SOS members should avoid all travel within 20km of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions, which remains a predominantly military zone. The towns of Harar, Jijiga, Dire Dawa and Nazret in Ethiopia should also be avoided.

Mexico - February 13, 2006 - Grenade Attack in Resort Town
At least one person was injured on February 11 after unknown assailants lobbed a grenade at the Hotel Posada Colonial in the resort city of Zihuatanejo, located some 240km north of Acapulco.

Police suspect the incident may be linked to two other grenade attacks along the Pacific coast over the past week by suspected drug-traffickers. Incidents of drug-violence have sharply increased in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and other resort areas over the past year. Police stations and police officers are most often targeted in attacks.

International SOS advises the travel to Mexico may proceed at this time. Members should be alert for any suspicious objects, persons or activity, and report any findings to authorities.

 

Indonesia, China - February 13, 2004 - World Health Organization Confirms Fatal Cases of Avian Flu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that the two Indonesian women from Bekasi who died had A/H5N1 avian flu.  The 22-year-old victim who died February 10 lived near a household that was raising chickens. The birds are being tested for disease. Chickens died in the village of the second victim, a 27-year-old woman who also died February 10. Indonesia has now seen 25 human cases, 18 of which were fatal.

 

WHO has also confirmed that a 20-year-old farmer from Hunan who died had the disease. She was involved in culling her family's poultry. China has seen 12 human cases, eight of which were fatal.

 

Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Ukraine, Iraq, Cyprus, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Indonesia, and Romania have all reported outbreaks in January 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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