Strike by Railway Workers Union in Sao Paulo, Brazil
North & Central America
On 21 September, India suspended visa services for Canadian citizens following a diplomatic row between the two countries. The move came after Canada announced that it was investigating credible allegations that India was involved in the extrajudicial killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. India has denied the allegations and has accused Canada of supporting anti-India forces. The visa suspension will remain in place until further notice.?
So far this year (2023), a total of almost 900 people have been diagnosed with West Nile fever infections nationwide. Nearly 600 of them have the more serious form of the disease involving the central nervous system (brain). At least eight people have died from their infections. Of the 43 states that have reported cases, the most affected are California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.
Travellers who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors or who will be in areas with a lot of mosquitoes are at increased risk of exposure to the West Nile Virus. The risk of exposure for the general traveller is quite low. However, in a small number of infected people, the West Nile virus can cause serious neurological illnesses, including death. Since there is no vaccine or treatment for West Nile fever, travellers to areas where this virus has been found can reduce their risk of exposure by taking all necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
South America
On 3 October, railway workers in S?o Paulo will hold a 24-hour strike against the privatization of public metro-rail transport. The strike is likely to disrupt services on the 7-Ruby and 10-Turquoise lines, which are two of the busiest lines in the metro-rail system. The union is opposed to the privatization of public metro-rail transport, which it believes will lead to higher fares and worse service for passengers. Commuters are advised to plan their travel carefully and to allow extra time for their journey.?
As of 24 September, increased activity was recorded at the Villarrica Volcano, located between the regions of La Araucanía and Los Ríos. Seismic activity and explosions were reported. The current volcano alert level has been raised to orange by the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin). An exclusion zone of 8 kilometres has been established; around 80 people were evacuated as a precaution. A yellow alert is in place for the communes of Villarrica, Pucón, Curarrehue and Panguipulli.
Middle East & Asia Pacific
On 19 September, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, a disputed territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but controlled by ethnic Armenian separatists. Air raid sirens were sounded, and heavy shelling was reported. At least 27 people were killed, and over 200 people were injured. Many buildings were also damaged. Following the launch of the Azerbaijani military operation, there were violent protests in Armenia.
Protesters gathered outside the Parliament building and the Russian Embassy in Yerevan, calling for the government to take action to stop the fighting. On 21 September, Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire. However, the ceasefire has been repeatedly violated, with both sides accusing the other of breaking it. Many countries advise their citizens to avoid all travel to the Nagorno-Karabakh region and near Azerbaijan's border with Armenia.
Starting 25 September, a tourist visa exemption (with no fee) scheme for Chinese and Kazakhstani passport holders (or travel document holders) to enter and stay in Thailand will commence. The scheme allows travellers to stay in the Kingdom of Thailand for a period not exceeding 30 days and will remain in effect until 29 February 2024, on a temporary basis.
On 13 September, the decision was approved by the Cabinet after a proposal was submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The scheme is aimed at not only promoting Thailand's tourism industry but also making travel into the country more convenient for both groups during the tourist season. Check with the country's embassy or your travel agent for detailed information. Follow local laws to avoid fines and legal repercussions.
Tribal fighting in Wapenamanda district, Enga province, has ended with a ceasefire agreement. The warring factions have agreed to lay down their arms and uphold the ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire was imposed by the Enga Law and Order Task Force, Sir Paul Kurai of the Kurai Foundation, and Kandep MP and Minister for Higher Education Research, Science, Technology, and Sports, Don Polye. The clashing tribes of Wapenamanda district, Enga province, have agreed to a ceasefire agreement, thereby ending the conflict. More than 200 people were killed in the clashes.?
Europe
Air Belgium has announced that it will cease all passenger flights on 3 October, in order to focus on cargo and aircraft leasing operations. The airline said that the decision was made due to chronic profitability issues exacerbated by stiff competition in the passenger aviation market and recent external events that have weakened the company.
Air Belgium has assured customers that those who have a flight planned with the airline before 3 October will remain insured and will be able to complete their journey. Return flights will be either provided by Air Belgium itself or through other airlines. Customers with flights scheduled after 3 October that have already been paid for may be cancelled and refunded on a priority basis.
On 20 September, Latvia closed one of its two border crossings with Belarus, the Silene border crossing. The measure has been taken to ensure border integrity and prevent threats related to illegal migration. The closure of the Silene border crossing is the latest escalation in tensions between Latvia and Belarus. In recent months, Belarus has been accused of using illegal migration as a weapon against Latvia and other EU countries.
The Latvian government has said that it will keep the Silene border crossing closed for as long as necessary. Traffic will be diverted to the Pāternieki border crossing, which remains open. Travellers are advised to check the Latvian Border Guard website for the latest information on border crossing times and procedures. If you are planning to travel to Latvia from Belarus, or vice versa, you are advised to factor in extra time for your journey.
The Public Health Agency has reported an unusual increase in the number of people infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus. In the month of August, a total of 170 new infections were diagnosed, a new record. Due to favourable weather conditions this year with high temperatures and considerable precipitation, the tick population has expanded, increasing the risk of exposure.
The risk for travellers is low unless the traveller’s activities bring them into contact with ticks. Travellers in countries where this infection occurs should avoid tick habitats such as fields and forests where possible. Daily tick checks and prompt removal of an attached tick will help reduce the risk of infection. Vaccination (only available in Europe) may be considered, especially if itineraries involve extensive hiking and camping in tick habitats.
Africa
On 23 September, at least 35 people were killed and 20 others were injured in a fuel depot explosion in Seme Podji. The explosion happened when people in cars, on motorcycles, and in small taxis were waiting in line at the warehouse to get fuel. Media reports suggested that the warehouse was used to store smuggled fuel. Benin is among the neighbouring states of Nigeria and has a substantial fuel black market. Fuel smuggling is common both inside Nigeria and among its neighbours, which host illegal refineries, fuel dumps, and even pipelines.?
An outbreak of dengue fever in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso includes 1,164 infected people. Of these, 24 cases have died from their infections. 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, duration of the 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 people 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 virus may be present since it is transmitted by the same mosquito that transmits the dengue virus.
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