internationalsos.com - Press releases

Protests in Nepal, Avian Flu Update in Indonesia

21 December 2005

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.

Nepal - December 21 - Protests Continue in Kathmandu
Anti-government demonstrations continue in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, to protest the random killing of civilians by a Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldier and to continue calls for a return to democratic rule.

At least 100 prominent political figures and human rights activists conducted a one-day hunger strike to demand for the restoration of democracy and for the government to match a ceasefire declaration by the Maoist rebels.

On Monday morning, student protestors clashed with anti-riot policemen after demonstrators blocked roads in several parts of the city to protest the killing of 11 civilians by a RNA soldier in an isolated incident during a Hindu festival last week. Four protestors were injured.

International SOS members are advised that travel to Nepal can proceed although foreigners should exercise extra security precautions against the risks of violence and civil unrest. Visitors and expatriates are advised to avoid, where possible, locations where protests either are, or are likely, to occur, such as crowded bazaars and university areas. During periods of civil unrest travelers are advised to maintain a low profile and minimize unnecessary local travel.

Australia - December 19 - Police Seize Weapons; Sydney Suburb Locked Down
New South Wales police seized weapons and locked down a suburb in southern Sydney over the weekend during continued police operations against further racial violence. Police seized Molotov cocktails from two men on a bus headed for Bondi beach. Police also seized petrol bombs, knives and iron bars in beaches in south Sydney. Police locked down the Brighton-Le-Sands suburb on Sunday night after the arrest of five Caucasian men in a car containing 25 liters of gasoline and other materials used to make Molotov cocktails.

There are fears that racial violence may break out again if police presence is reduced.

Sydney residents and tourists heeded a police warning to stay away from beaches due to the possibility of further racial riots. There were no reported incidents of racial unrest over the weekend as approximately 2,000 policemen patrolled the beaches and suburbs of Australia's largest city.

A peace rally was conducted in central Sydney to condemn the violence.

International SOS advises its members that travel to Australia can proceed. Members are advised to avoid the southern Sydney suburbs of Cronulla and Maroubra, beach suburbs identified as potential targets areas, and other suburban areas with a large immigrant population until the local security situation has stabilized.

Indonesia - December 20 - Indonesia to Start Avian Flu Screenings in Jakarta
On December 22, door-to-door surveillance will start in Jakarta to check backyard farm flocks for avian flu. Teams made up of community volunteers, students and military personnel will inspect birds across the city, which is home to almost 9 million people. Nine Indonesians, four of whom were from Jakarta, have died from avian flu.

Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused disease outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey, Romania, Indonesia and China all reported outbreaks in November 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. 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.