internationalsos.com - Press releases

State of Emergency Declared in Tonga; Outbreak of Potentially Fatal Strain of Malaria in Costa Rica

22 November 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.

November 17, 2006 - Tonga- State of Emergency Declared

The government of Tonga today declared a state of emergency following violent protests in the capital, Nuku'alofa, on Thursday. Security troops are patrolling central Nuku'alofa and conducting random security checks. The Tongan government has requested assistance from Australia and New Zealand to help restore law and order. Tonga's international airport has been closed and all commercial flights have been cancelled.

At least six people were reported killed in the riots that broke out after members of Tonga's National Assembly temporarily adjourned without approving a set of political reforms that have been demanded by activists. Reports indicate that a number of commercial shops, mostly owned by Chinese entrepreneurs, were also attacked and looted. Youth gangs also attacked offices and hotels. A large part of the commercial district was damaged by the riots, according to estimates.

Security measures that have been put in place are likely to curtail local movement in Nuku'alofa within the next 48 hours. Normal business and tourist activities are also likely to be disrupted. Further sporadic outbreaks of violence cannot be ruled out.

International SOS will continue to monitor the situation and will update this advisory as new information becomes available. For more information on the changing situation in Tonga, please contact the nearest International SOS alarm center.

November 19, 2006 - Costa Rica- Outbreak of Potentially Fatal Strain of Malaria in Limon

Falciparum malaria has infected 13 people in the province of Limon, and 29 others are suspected to have the potentially deadly disease. The majority of cases are in the town of Batan. The Ministry of Health has issued an alert and increased both medical personnel and preventive measures in the region.

Although Costa Rica reports many cases of malaria annually, the vast majority are due to the less severe vivax strain. In 2005, over 2,400 cases of malaria occurred, of which only 0.2% were due to the falciparum strain.

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 planning to visit at-risk regions in Costa Rica should consult with a medical professional about taking an appropriate anti-viral medication.  As the drugs are not 100 percent effective, all travelers should also take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Please contact the nearest International SOS alarm center for more information on preventing falciparum malaria.

November 18, 2006 - Egypt - Reports of Suspected Human Cases of Bird Flu

Local news sources have reported four people from Sohag governorate were hospitalized November 16 with suspected bird flu. The patients, between 9 months and 18 years of age, are being tested for the disease. The source of their possible exposure to the disease is under investigation. Some sources say that three of the people are related and the fourth is a neighbor.

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 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.