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Continued Israeli and Hizbullah military activity; Avian flu outbreak among birds in Bali, Indonesia

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 - August 3, 2006-  Offensive Operations Continue

Israel and Hizbullah have continued military operations today, following the end of a period of lowered intensity in offensive Israeli air operations over Lebanon. Israel is believed to have deployed between 6,000 and 10,000 troops in southern Lebanon, and yesterday carried out a special forces raid in the northern Hizbullah stronghold of Baalbek. Hizbullah responded by firing almost 200 rockets into Israel, including one which reached the West Bank border town of Beit Shean, the furthest any rocket has so far traveled.

Three divisions of Israeli reservists who were recently mobilized have completed refresher training and may now be deployed to assist troops currently in the north of the country. There is considerable anticipation that the Israeli Defense Force will push north into Lebanon, probably to the Litani river, and attempt to create a buffer zone until such time as an international force can take on the role.

While diplomatic efforts to end the crisis are ongoing, Syrian President Bashar al Assad ordered the Syrian Army to raise its readiness. Reports from Syria indicate that some reservists have been called up for military duty, an obvious indication of Syrian concern that the fighting in Lebanon could spread.

The central focus for a peace deal has been the deployment of a UN-mandated international force in southern Lebanon to ensure Hizbullah does not attack Israel. However, Hizbullah in both its military and political capacities will only agree to an unconditional cease-fire.

It is assessed that even in the event of an agreed permanent cease-fire, the Israel-Hizbullah conflict may escalate in the weeks and months ahead. Unexpectedly fierce resistance by Hizbullah’s fighters has complicated Israel's planned ground invasion of southern Lebanon and its attempt to create a security buffer zone.

International SOS advises against all travel to Lebanon until the situation stabilizes. All coastal roads leading to south Lebanon are damaged and currently closed to traffic. Beirut International Airport is closed until further notice. The journey to Damascus via the main highway to northern Lebanon is currently reported to be impassable. There are alternative routes via secondary roads but local knowledge is required.

International SOS members seeking additional information on this situation should contact the 24-hour Regional Security Centres in London or Paris on +44 (0) 208 762 8008 (London), or +33 (0) 1 5563 3155 (Paris).

Bahamas- August 3, 2006- Malaria in Great Exuma

Nineteen cases of malaria plasmodium falciparum have been detected in five different communities on the island of Great Exuma. Four cases occured in travelers (two from USA, one from Canada and one from Germany). Several patients have traveled to malaria-affected areas in other countries, and both the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Bahamian Ministry of Health have concluded the Great Exuma outbreak resulted from malaria being imported from another country.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that all travelers who contracted the disease visited Great Exuma in late April and May. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has also reported a case in a Bahamian national who lives in Canada and had traveled to the affected area. Both agencies are temporarily recommending the antimalarial medication chloroquine for travelers to Great Exuma.

Authorities in Exuma have set up mosquito traps and began fogging campaigns. The Ministry of Health is screening immigrants for the disease. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is assisting with investigations.

Malaria is not endemic in the Bahamas. Typically, cases that occur there have been imported by a person who became infected elsewhere. There is the potential for malaria to become entrenched in the country, as the mosquito that carries the disease is present in the Bahamas.

The Exuma district of the Bahamas is made up of 365 islands, most of which are unpopulated. The largest, Great Exuma, is about 60 km (37 mi) long and its major city, George Town, is home to approximately 1,000 people. The area is popular with tourists, especially sailors.

Malaria is a serious disease caused by one of four species of a parasite called Plasmodium. It is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite at night, during the hours between dusk and dawn.  Once a patient has been exposed to malaria, it can take as little as six days or as long as several months to develop symptoms. These can be episodic and may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice. If not promptly treated, malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum can be fatal.

Travelers who will visit Great Exuma should consider taking the anti-malarial medication "chloroquine".  As the drug is not 100 percent effective, all travelers should also take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Please contact International SOS to learn more about malarial prevention.

Indonesia-August 1, 2006-  New outbreak among birds in Bali, Indonesia
 
About 300 birds have died over the past week, and today animal health officials announced the deaths were caused by H5N1 avian flu. The disease is considered endemic, or consistently present, on the island and Indonesia's government says it is "closely watching" outbreaks in Bali, Sulawesi and Riau.

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.

Medical and Security Alerts
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