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.
El Salvador - January 30, 2006 - Rival Political Parties Clash
At least 15 people were injured on Saturday following clashes between rival political party members on the outskirts of the capital, San Salvador. The incident occurred after supporters of the main opposition party, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), returned from a memorial service in the capital to pay homage to their fallen leader, Schafik Handal, who suffered a heart attack on January 24. Supporters of the ruling Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) reportedly attacked the group with stones and burned two vehicles and a bus before police controlled the situation.
More than 100,000 people turned out for Handal's funeral yesterday in San Salvador, but no acts of violence were reported.
At least two other clashes have occurred between ARENA and FMLN supporters this month. Hostilities between the two groups date back to the country's twelve-year civil war, which ended in 1992. Further clashes are likely ahead of the hotly contested municipal and legislative elections scheduled for March. Foreign travelers face no specific risk at this time but are advised to avoid all protests that may occur.
Thailand - January 30, 2006 - Insurgents Attack Police Guarding Narathiwat Train Station
Suspected insurgents today opened fire on police guarding a train station in southern Thailand's Narathiwat province. The attack resulted in the death of one policeman. Local reports indicate an estimated 20 insurgents attacked the police post at the Laloh railway station in Narathiwat's Rusoh district at approximately 04:50 local time. The attack triggered an exchange of gunfire as a train connecting Yala province to Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok was approaching the station.The recent incident fits a pattern of attacks targeting security troops guarding public infrastructure in the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala. Despite the extension of emergency rule in the four provinces until March 2006, there is minimal evidence to suggest that the insurgency in the region has deteriorated. Further attacks are possible.
International SOS advises that travel to Thailand can proceed. International SOS members are advised to avoid travel to the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala. Companies with operations in southern Thailand should prepare a comprehensive security plan for staff and facilities.
Iraq - January 30, 2006 - Iraq Reports First Human Avian Flu Case
Iraq's Ministry of Health has confirmed that a teenage girl who died January 17 had the A/H5N1 strain of avian flu. Although she initially tested negative for the disease, further tests performed at a US Naval Medical Research Unit in Cairo were positive. Her uncle also developed severe respiratory symptoms and died on January 27. Both lived in Raniya, a northern Iraqi town near Sulaimaniyah.
Iraq has not confirmed any A/H5N1 infections among poultry, but birds in the victim’s neighborhood were reported ill and are being tested for the disease. A third case, an unrelated 54-year-old woman who also lives in Raniya, was hospitalized on January 18 with respiratory symptoms. She is considered a possible case of avian flu. Samples from the niece, her uncle, and the unrelated woman have been sent to WHO labs for further testing.
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
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.
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