Moroccan Earthquake Claims Over 2,000 Lives, Injures Thousands
North & Central America
Virginia state health authorities have declared an outbreak of meningitis involving 27 patients, five of whom have died from their infections. Meningococcal disease, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis type Y bacteria, has been reported in eastern, central, and southwest Virginia since June 2022. Thirteen health districts have reported at least one infected person. These are Alleghany, Hampton, Henrico, Norfolk, Peninsula, Pittsylvania/Danville, Portsmouth, Roanoke, Southside, Virginia Beach, and Western Tidewater.?
The most cases have been reported in eastern Virginia. Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious illness spread by sharing respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit). Symptoms can first appear flu-like and quickly become more severe. The risk of exposure for the general traveller will vary from place to place, but it is probably low since public health measures to control the spread of the infection are being implemented. Nevertheless, travellers to the affected area may consider reducing the risk of exposure to meningitis by obtaining a vaccination against meningitis prior to travelling in the affected area.
On 25 September, the Ontario Health Coalition will stage multiple protests across the province to denounce the government's privatisation of public hospitals’ core services. The coalition argues that this will lead to higher costs, worse care, and less control for patients. The protests have been strategically timed to coincide with the opening day of the fall session of the Ontario Legislature.
Unifor National, Canada's largest private-sector union, has also expressed solidarity with the protestors and urged workers to join the protests. The main protest will be held outside the Legislative Building at Queen’s Park in Toronto at 12:00 hours (local time). Protests will also be held at Mini-Queen’s Park in Thunder Bay (12:00 hours), MPP Greg Rickford’s Office in Dryden (11:30 hours) and Sault Area Hospital at Lukenda Drive in Algoma (12:00 hours).?
South America
Starting 4 September, the State of Emergency in seven districts in General Sánchez Cerro has been extended for 60 days. The order covers the Coalaque, Chojata, Ichua, Lloque, Matalaque, Ubinas and Yunga districts. The declaration was made on 5 July in response to increased activity at the Ubinas Volcano in the Moquegua region. Ashfall and explosions were recorded at the volcano on 26 August. Toxic gas emissions and ashfall affected parts of the Moquegua and Arequipa regions.
The volcano is currently at an orange alert level. The volcanic activity may further increase. No evacuation warnings were issued but residents in the area should be prepared for a quick and organised evacuation due to the possibility of increased volcanic activity. Authorities advise wearing facemasks or other respiratory protective equipment to avoid inhaling the toxic gas present in the area.?
The Los Libertadores International Pass (Cristo Redentor System), the highest international road pass in the world, will remain closed on 11 September. The border crossing between Argentina and Chile was closed due to adverse weather conditions on 31 August. It is unclear when the road will be reopened for vehicular traffic. The pass had been reopened on 30 August after being closed for 13 days due to adverse weather conditions. The pass was initially closed on 17 August, due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. It is a major transportation route for people and goods between Argentina and Chile, and its closure is causing significant disruption.?
Middle East & Asia Pacific
On 9 September, the first round of the Presidential elections was held across all Maldivian islands. Maldives is a presidential republic, meaning the head of state is the President. This was the 5th Presidential election in Maldives since the ratification of the new constitution on 7 August 2008. Security was heightened to ensure law and order. Operations of government offices, public transportation, and other essential and non-essential services may also have been impacted. At the end of the vote count, the candidate of the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives received the largest number of votes at 46 per cent.
Current Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was in second place with over 39 per cent of the votes. None of the eight candidates managed to receive the 50 per cent plus vote to win in the first round. Thus, the election is headed for a run-off on 30 September. In the second round, only the candidates placed first and second will compete.?
On 7 September, the highest level black rainstorm warning was issued across Hong Kong. The warning was issued during the late evening hours (local time) on 7 September, the first time since October 2021. Several transport disruptions were reported across Hong Kong. The MTR Corporations temporarily suspended services between Shek Kip Mei and Choi Hung due to flash flooding near the Kwun Tong line. Border control points at Heung Yuen Wai and Man Kam To were also closed. Long Win Bus and Citybus suspended all services (except for airport routes S1, S64C, and S64X) until further notice. More than 20 buses were stuck on the roads due to severe waterlogging in locations including Lung Cheung Road, Sha Tau Kok Road, and Sha Tin. The torrential rainfall impacted the entire country and caused significant waterlogging and traffic congestion.
领英推荐
On 4 September, the Phnom Penh police force deployed a special intervention force to patrol the capital city 24 hours a day. The decision was taken to monitor and bring down the crime rates, maintain order and security, especially for foreign tourists and investors. The task force has been equipped with cars, large motorcycles, and is patrolling over 14 districts within Phnom Penh. Around 5000 police officers have been deployed and are expected to remain in service until further orders are issued. The first task of the special police intervention force will be tackling drug trafficking, armed robberies, kidnapping and gangs. Police will also attempt to reduce traffic problems, especially traffic congestion to prevent traffic jams and road accidents in Phnom Penh.
Europe:
From 8 September to 28 October, the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be held at various locations across France. On 15 September, air traffic controllers affiliated with the National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) will hold nationwide strike action to demand an increase in salaries. This could lead to major disruption when the country expects hundreds of thousands of fans to visit for the World Cup.
The US embassy in France has also issued a travel warning for possible demonstrations, strikes and protests that may affect public transportation during this period. The embassy has urged people to avoid any demonstrations and areas of significant police activity. On 9 September, at the match between England and Argentina, hundreds of supporters were forced to miss the start of the match amid lengthy queues and crowds outside the Stade Velodrome. World Rugby and France 2023 issued a joint statement apologising for the incident. Further incidents of this nature are possible.
On 5 September, a heavy storm hit the Sporadic island of Skiathos. Storm DANIEL led to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and major flooding across the island. At around 13:00 hours (local time), police banned all vehicular traffic and urged people to limit their movements. On 7 September, Jet2 announced the cancellation of all scheduled flights to Skiathos until 12 September due to severe weather concerns. TUI also cancelled its scheduled flights for 5 and 6 September. Road traffic was also banned in Volos and the nearby mountain region of Pelion. After the storm subsided, water and power were restored on Skiathos Island. Public transport has also resumed.?
Africa
An extensive outbreak of yellow fever has resulted in slightly more than 1,800 suspected and confirmed cases and 21 deaths. Cases occurred in all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory. In areas where the yellow fever virus is active, the risk for an unvaccinated traveller may be high. For the vaccinated traveller, the risk is essentially zero. Travellers to areas where there is a risk of exposure to yellow fever can reduce that risk by obtaining a yellow fever vaccination 10 days before travelling.
In addition, travellers should take all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Travellers are reminded that many other countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival for all travellers equal to or greater than 9-12 months of age arriving from a country where there is a risk of yellow fever.
Since January 2023, the African Centre for Disease Control has registered a cumulative total of 13,677 people infected with dengue fever. Of these, 22 patients have died from their infections. Cases have occurred in 9 African Union member states including Angola, Chad, C?te d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal and Sudan. The risk of exposure will vary from place to place and may be high in many localities. The risk of acquiring dengue during travel depends on the destination, season and duration of trip and activities during travel.
Severe dengue and death are relatively rare in general travellers but more frequently in those visiting friends and relatives. All travellers to areas where the dengue fever virus is active can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Many persons with dengue fever do not seek medical care and are not reported to health authorities. There may be many more cases in the community than the reports indicate.
Travellers should also be aware that where the dengue fever virus is active, there is a possibility in some locations that the chikungunya and Zika viruses may be present since they are transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits the dengue virus.
On 8 September, at around 23:11 hours (local time), a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck about 72 km from Marrakech, Marrakesh-Safi. The earthquake struck in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains southeast of Marrakech. Over 2,122 people were killed and at least 2,421 were injured, mainly in Al-Haouz, Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Chichaoua and Taroudant. Multiple aftershocks were recorded in the following hours. Infrastructural damages were reported. Recovery and rescue operations remain underway.
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