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International SOS Monitors Riots in France and Avian Flu in Indonesia

08 November 2005

Philadelphia

International SOS, the world's leading provider of medical assistance, international healthcare, security services 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.

France - November 7, 2005 - Riots Continue and Expand Across the Country
The first death attributed to the ongoing riots in France occurred last night after a man, who was beaten into a coma by a gang of youths, died of his injuries at a local hospital. In addition, 36 police officers were injured during clashes with increasingly aggressive rioters. Up to this point, more than 5,000 cars have been burned and roughly 1,000 people arrested since the beginning of rioting in the suburbs of Paris on October 27.

With each passing night rioting has been observed in more places throughout France. What was once a string of isolated incidents in the Paris suburb of Clichy-sous-Bois has expanded to at least 300 towns throughout France. Towns such as Toulouse, Toulon, Blois, Quimper, Strasbourg, and Draguignan have all experienced incidents of rioting and low-level violence.

The initial catalyst for the rioting appears to have been the deaths of two teenage boys in the Clichy-sous-Bois suburb of Paris, a run-down area predominantly populated by African and Arab immigrant communities. Despite repeated police denials, the local population clearly believed that the teenagers were electrocuted in an electrical sub-station while fleeing police pursuers.

International SOS assesses that further unrest is highly likely in France and that there is a distinct possibility that rioting may spread to other European countries. Members are advised to avoid all areas where unrest is known to occur and to seek local advice from police or hotel staff if concerned.

Peru- November 7, 2005- Demonstrations in Lima Following Arrest of Former President
Opponents and supporters of former President Alberto Fujimori demonstrated yesterday in Lima following his arrest over the weekend in Chile. The number of protestors is estimated in the thousands; no violence has been reported. Fujimori, who is wanted on corruption charges in Peru in association with his presidency, had been in self-imposed exile in Japan since 2000.

Fujimori reportedly made a surprise visit to Chile over the weekend in a self-professed effort to bolster support for his re-election campaign. At the request of Peruvian authorities, Fujimori was arrested at a hotel in Santiago and is now facing extradition. Fujimori's arrest is reigniting long-standing divisions within Peru. Further demonstrations are planned for today in Lima. Clashes between Fujimori supporters and opponents cannot be discounted.

International SOS advises its members that travel to Peru may proceed. While at this time foreign visitors face no specific risk from these protests, travelers are advised to avoid all demonstrations even if they appear peaceful.

Indonesia – November 5, 2005 - Two cases of Avian Flu Confirmed
Officials from the Indonesian health ministry have announced that a woman who died in October was infected with avian flu. An 8-year-old relative who lived with her in Tangerang has also tested positive for the disease and is hospitalized in Jakarta. Tangerang, which lies about 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Jakarta, is the town in which the first Indonesian died from avian flu in July. Authorities believe the pair was infected by sick birds at their house and do not think the disease passed from person to person. Further investigation is underway.

There are now nine confirmed cases of avian flu in Indonesia, five of which have been fatal. Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Romania, Russia and China have all reported outbreaks in October 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. 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.

Members
All International SOS Security Members are able to access specific travel-related advice related to this news feature. Please log onto the members' website

Non-members
If you are not an International SOS member but would like to know more about the medical and security help and advice we provide to international travelers and expatriates, click here.

Journalists
If you are a journalist and would like to speak to one of our Medical or Security experts, please contact one of our regional press contacts.


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