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Continued Muslim Backlash Against Danish Cartoons; Eleven New Cases of Bird Flu in Indonesia

07 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.

Indonesia - February 6, 2006 - Backlash Against Danish Cartoons Continues
The United States (US) Embassy in Jakarta announced late today that the US Consulate-General in Surabaya will temporarily close on February 7 due to protest actions and acts of vandalism on its building by protestors. Reports indicate that approximately 200 members of the hardline Islamic Defenders' Front (FPI) demonstrated in front of the consulate in Indonesia's second largest city to protest the re-publication of the controversial cartoons in an American newspaper. Protestors threw rocks and bottles at the consulate, resulting in minor damage to the premises. Indonesian police fired warning shots into the air to disperse the demonstrators.

Conservative Islamic groups continued to hold anti-Denmark protest actions in Indonesia to protest the publication of cartoons that were perceived to be offensive to Muslims. The protestors demanded an apology from the Danish government. The Danish Embassy in Jakarta officially apologized last week.

There are no indications at this time that the protests may seriously threaten the security and safety of European nationals in Indonesia. Anti-West protests are common, however, activists usually focus their protests on institutions rather than individuals. Further protests are possible and acts of civil disturbance or disorderly behavior targeting Western assets cannot be ruled out.

International SOS advises its members that essential business travel to Indonesia can proceed. Travelers should avoid typical protest locations such as the presidential palace and the national parliament in Central Jakarta, maintain a low profile, and restrict non-essential local travel.

Nepal - February 6, 2006 - Maoists Enforce Nationwide Strike
A nationwide strike organized by Maoist rebels has commenced across Nepal. In the capital region, Kathmandu Valley, commercial establishments and private offices in main highways were closed although shops in the inner parts of the region were open. The government has ordered public transport services to maintain operations during the strike.

Reports indicate that the strike has also affected normal life in major cities such as Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Biratnagar. Traffic is very light.

On Sunday, incidents of violence were reported in areas outside Kathmandu Valley. Maoists burned a tourist vehicle in Jogimara in Chitwan district. Security personnel also diffused a bomb at the Charpane road section of the Mahendra Highway in Jhapa.

Maoist rebels have called for a strike from February 5-10 as a form of protest against the scheduled February 8 municipal elections. The strike is likely to be fully felt until February 8, but may be relaxed after the election date.

International SOS Members are advised to defer travel to Nepal until after the February 8 municipal elections as a precaution against a likely escalation of violence. Foreigners who decide to travel to Nepal in the near-term are advised to exercise extra security precautions against the escalating threat of civil unrest and violence by Maoist rebels, as well as logistical problems including shortage of hotel rooms and private transport.

Indonesia - February 5, 2004 - WHO Confirmation of Another 11 Cases of Bird Flu Awaited
A further eleven human cases of avian influenza have been identified by local laboratory testing in Indonesia. Preliminary information indicates that most of these cases are around Bandung, West Java. There have been recent outbreaks of avian influenza A/H5N1 amongst chickens in the area, and enhanced surveillance for disease in humans has detected these cases. Most cases are believed to have resulted from direct exposure to poultry. Indonesian officials believe it is likely that these eleven cases will also be found positive by the WHO reference lab.

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.

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