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Rebel Violence in Sri Lanka; New Human Bird Flu Deaths Confirmed in Indonesia

24 January 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.

Sri Lanka - January 23, 2006 - Claymore Mine Explosion in Batticaloa
At least 3 soldiers were killed and at least 4 others were wounded in a new claymore mine attack in Sri Lanka's eastern town of Batticaloa. The explosion occurred at approximately 7:45 AM local time at the Urani junction along the Batticaloa-Valaichenai road, the main highway to Polonnaruwa. The blast targeted soldiers on foot patrol.

Highway traffic was closed due to security operations immediately after the incident. Meanwhile on Sunday, 4 soldiers were injured in a grenade attack in Akkaraipattu in Amparai district. A cache of claymore mines and ammunition was also recovered in a jungle area in the district.

There has been no change in the situation in Sri Lanka in the last 2 weeks. Attacks on security troops by the rebel group, Liberation Tigers Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continue to increase; there are now at least 2 to 3 attacks per day in the north and northeast regions. Civilians have not been targeted so far, but face the risk of being caught in roadside landmine explosions or exchanges of gunfire.

International SOS advises its members to relocate their staff out of the districts of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Mannar. The potential for escalation of violence in these areas remains high and may reach a point where departure of foreign staff may be severely restricted.

India - January 23, 2006 - Separatists Attack Gas Pipelines and Police Posts in Assam
Suspected separatist rebels attacked 2 gas pipelines of a state-run oil company, 2 power installations, and police posts in India's restive northeastern state of Assam over the weekend. At least 2 people were killed and more than 8 others were wounded in the attacks. Grenade and bomb explosions have also been reported in the state capital, Guwahati.

Reports indicate that suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) rebels triggered explosions targeting the 2 gas pipelines, owned by the Assam Gas Company Limited. ULFA is the most active tribal insurgent group in northeast India. The group, along with 5 other smaller organizations, has announced a strike on Republic Day. Further incidents of violence prior or during this day are likely.

International SOS advises its members that travel to India can proceed; however, certain regions affected by insurgencies, sectarian violence, lawlessness, and border areas with Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar should be avoided. Please contact International SOS security operations for more information on travel in India.

Indonesia - January 21, 2005 - Two New Human Bird Flu Deaths Confirmed in Indonesia, More Cases Suspected
The World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory in Hong Kong has confirmed 2 new cases of avian influenza A/H5N1. A 4-year-old boy and his thirteen-year-old sister who died earlier this month had the disease. They were from Indramayu, in West Java. Their teenaged sister and 43-year-old father are also ill and are being treated as suspected cases. All 4 had contact with the family's birds, which were sick and dying. An eleven-year-old child who lived close to the family is also being investigated for the disease. There have been nineteen officially confirmed cases of human bird flu in Indonesia, fourteen of which have been fatal.

Avian influenza A/H5N1 has caused outbreaks in poultry in an increasing number of countries. Ukraine, Romania, China, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand all reported outbreaks in December 2005. 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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