internationalsos.com - Press releases

New Attacks in Somalia; Generic Tamiflu to be Manufactured in South Africa

17 May 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.

Somalia - May 16, 2006 - New Attack Threatens Truce
New fighting between rival militias erupted today in Somalia, threatening to break the ceasefire agreement signed on Monday. The attack was conducted by the Islamic militias on a prominent Somali warlord, killing two of his fighters on a road linking Mogadishu to Bal'ad.

Approximately 170 people have died and more than 400 have been injured in fighting in Mogadishu that started on May 7, initially between warlord militias loyal to Nur Daqle and those led by the chairman of the Islamic courts, Shaykh Sharif Shaykh Ahmed. Daqle and Ahmed belong to the Agoon Yar subclan of the Abgal community. The new attack could end the truce brokered by a mediation committee led by elders, religious leaders and influent businessmen.

 

International SOS advises its members against all travel to Somalia, which is assessed as an extreme risk environment. Violent crime is endemic and armed groups frequently target foreigners. This recommendation extends to passage through Somalian territorial waters, which are subject to piracy.

Venezuela - May 16, 2006 - Measles outbreak in Caracas area
Venezuela is experiencing its first outbreak of measles in four years. As of May 6, a total of 42 confirmed cases had been reported in the Caracas area of Miranda state, and in the capital district itself. Suspected cases have been reported in the states of Trujillo, Zulia and Nueva Esparta. Venezuela's last measles outbreak infected about 2,500 people in 2002 and was seen as the last widespread endemic measles transmission in the Americas.

The outbreak is believed to have begun with a 33-year-old pilot from Miranda. He became ill following a trip to Madrid in February. Nine of his contacts developed the disease. Five of them were children under 14, and the other four were adults over 30.

The Venezuelan Civil Aviation Authority now requires proof of up-to-date measles vaccination for all passengers departing Caracas by air to North America, Africa, Asia and Europe. People who are not able to show proof will be vaccinated before being allowed to depart. The Ministry of Health has established vaccination stations at Caracas Maiquetia International Airport.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can have serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The disease can have a high mortality rate among poor and malnourished children.

All travelers to Venezuela should be immunized against measles. Carry copies of your immunization record with your travel documents and provide them to authorities on request. If you are not immunized or are unsure of your immunity status, consider having a measles vaccination before traveling. Please contact International SOS if you need additional information on this disease.

South Africa - May 16, 2006 - Company to make Generic Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate)
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd., South Africa's biggest drug manufacturer, has entered a partnership with Roche to produce a generic version of the antiviral drug oseltamivir, prescribed to treat influenza. Roche entered the non-exclusive relationship in order to enhance the available supply of the drug, but will continue to work to fulfill existing African Tamifluâ orders. Roche will provide technical manufacturing information and the active pharmaceutical ingredient to Aspen. The company will produce the medication in a plant in Port Elizabeth that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in 2004.

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
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 U.S. State Department.

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