GIPEIT(Medicina del Viajero

NEWS

Health Requirements and Recommendations for Travel to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj: Information for U.S. Travelers.

Updated: November 20, 2008

Each year, millions of people travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, a pilgrimage to the holy places of Islam. This year, the week of the Hajj begins on December 6, 2008. Travelers to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj should expect large crowds at places of worship, gathering, and lodging. This overcrowding may lead to an increased risk of accidental injury and infectious diseases, such as meningococcal disease (meningitis), the flu, and other respiratory illnesses.

Vaccinations Required by the Government of Saudi Arabia

To protect the health and safety of pilgrims, the government of Saudi Arabia has established the following health requirements for all visitors:

All pilgrims over 2 years old must get a vaccine to protect against meningococcal disease. Please note that this MUST be a quadrivalent (A/C/Y/W-135) meningococcal vaccine. This requirement also means that all pilgrims —
- Need to have had the vaccine no more than 3 years and no less than 10 days before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
- Will need to show a valid certificate of vaccination before entering the cities of Mecca and Medina to perform the Hajj. Anyone without proof of vaccination may be denied entry.
At airports and other ports of entry into Saudi Arabia, arriving pilgrims may be screened for diseases that must be reported under the International Health Regulations, including dengue fever, meningococcal meningitis, and yellow fever.

Fuente: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentHajj2008.aspx

Beijing Olympic Games - Travel advisory

Security has been tightened in Beijing and other cities and regions throughout China in preparation for the CaracasOlympic Games, which starts tomorrow and runs until 24 August. Over 100,000 police and security forces are being deployed to ensure the event runs smoothly for the expected 10,000 athletes and 500,000 foreign visitors. Although most visits to China pass without incident, visitors are advised to exercise commonsense safety precautions.

red24 Daily News 7 August 2008

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Yellow Fever Vaccination Ecuador

An international certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is now required to enter the Ecuadorian provinces of Sucumbios and Orellana where many of our Amazon rainforest programs take place. Although no cases of yellow fever have been reported in Ecuador in the last 20 years, the Ministry of Health has issued a yellow fever vaccination to all travellers visiting Orellana and Sucumbios Provinces, starting March 1st, in order to avoid any possible contamination to a yellow fever outbreak in some areas of the Brazilian Amazon jungle. All travelers entering the mentioned provinces will be required to present their vaccination certificate.

http://intitravel.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/yellow-fever-vaccination

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Caracas

Farmers in Peru blocked roads and railways across the country yesterday to protest against a free trade deal with the United States. This included barricading the Pan-American Highway (a key national road) and the rail service from Cusco to Machu Picchu, leaving hundreds of visitors stranded at the monument. Authorities managed to reopen many of the roads by late yesterday. Several reports of minor civil unrest were also reported. The farmers claim they will continue to strike until the government agrees to negotiate with them. Demonstrations occur often in Peru, and are occasionally accompanied by violence. Travellers are advised to avoid all large gatherings.

red24 Daily News 19 February 2008

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Storms in Brazil cause large power cuts

red24 Daily News 6 December 2007

Local media in Brazil reported yesterday that heavy rain and hailstorms in the southern Rio Grande do Sul state cut the power supply to at least 35,000 homes. The storms occurred on the night of 4 December and mainly affected the municipalities of Julio de Castilhos, Uruguaiana, Soledade, Sao Sepe, Quarai and Santa Maria. The AES Sul electricity company was uncertain of when the power supply would be restored. Travellers to these regions should monitor local media for updates on the situation and prepare adequately.

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Caracas
red24 Daily News 30 November 2007
A referendum regarding constitutional reforms is to be held in Venezuela on 2 December. There have been ongoing protests in the country, particularly in the capital, Caracas, over the last few weeks and more are expected in the lead up to the vote. Yesterday, over 100,000 people marched in Caracas against the proposed changes. While a number of demonstrations have seen incidents of violence, this march concluded peacefully. Supporters of the constitutional changes are planning a final rally today in the capital and major travel disruptions are expected. Travellers to Venezuela, and particularly Caracas, should avoid all political rallies over the next few days as there is the potential for violence.

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US citizens need a visa and Yellow Fever certificate for Bolivia

This is the information from the Bolivian Embassy's website in Washington, DC:
Beginning December 1 st 2007, immigration authorities of the Republic Of Bolivia will require that citizens of United States of America traveling as tourists to Bolivia have a Visa.
The Visa will be valid for five (5) years since the date of issue and Will permit entrance to Bolivia for a total of ninety (90) days each year.
A visa holder will be able to use it for three (3) times in one (1) year for a total of ninety (90) days. Only in very special cases will the Bolivian immigration authorities extend the period of permanency over ninety (90) days.
The visa application can be done by mail or in-person at any Bolivian Consulate.
To apply by mail, the user must send the Consular Office all required documents and a pre-paid envelope with return address in order to receive their passport once the visa has been issued.
Visas will be issued in twenty four (24) hours, after reception, fee Payment (U$S 100.00) and verfication of the pertinent documentation. Delivery and return transportation time, according to the contracted service by user.
If the applicant will be traveling with Bolivian friends or relatives who live in United States, they may write the letter of invitation specifying the host address in Bolivia.

Any person older than twelve (12) month travelling to Bolivia must bear the International Yellow Fever Vacination Certificate. If a pediatrician or primary physician decides that for health reasons a person cannot receive a Yellow Fever vaccine, they may issue corresponding certification. This certification must be translated into spanish and the passenger must hold a copy of both Certificate and tranlation, to be submitted before Bolivian Immigration Authorities

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Bolivian opposition call for general strike
red24 Daily News 28 November 2007
Opposition leaders in Bolivia have called for a general strike today, to protest against attempts by President Evo Morales to rewrite the constitution. The strike was called by governors and political leaders in the Santa Cruz, Tarija, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Beni and Pando departments. Morales wants to reform the constitution to empower the poor Indian majority. However, the opposition want more autonomy in the gas-rich lowland provinces which they control. They also want the seat of government to be moved from Morales's stronghold in La Paz, to the southern city of Sucre. Over the weekend, four people died in Sucre in violent protests against the president's reforms, after delegates from Morales's Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party and his allies approved a new draft of the constitution without consulting opposition members. Due to the ongoing tension and possibility for further violence, travellers to Bolivia are advised to avoid all political gatherings.

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