After a chaotic Thanksgiving week for U.S. travelers, the U.S. government has issued a series of new warnings concerning a fatal disease outbreak in Ethiopia, potential travel disruptions in Tanzania, and a surge in crimes in Croatia.
While the political instability in Ethiopia has severely compromised its tourism, Tanzania received a record 5.3 million visitors in April this year. Tanzania has been attracting many international tourists, particularly for its safari experiences, despite having a Level 3: Reconsider Travel warning like Ethiopia.
Croatia, on the other hand, has a Level 1 travel advisory risk level (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) and is known as a vibrant Christmas destination.
Here is a closer look at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Advisory for Ethiopia, as well as the new security alerts for the booming tourist spots of Tanzania and Croatia.
CDC’s Health Advisory For Ethiopia’s First Fatal Marburg Virus Disease Outbreak
On December 3, the CDC released a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory for Ethiopia’s new outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD), affecting the South Ethiopian and Sidama regions. MVD is a deadly disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected human or even animals. Broken skin and mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) are an entry for human-to-human transmission.
It is also sexually transmitted, with the virus lasting in semen for weeks or even months. Animal-to-human transmission is possible through interacting with Egyptian fruit bats, the natural reservoir hosts, in their habitats (caves, mines, etc.) or eating them. Slaughtering infected wild animals for food can also spread the Marburg virus.
As of the release of the notice, the CDC states that the risk of MVD’s spread in the U.S. is still low. For now, Ethiopia is still under CDC’s Level 1: Practice Usual Precautions health notice. American citizens are advised to observe the following practices should they decide to visit “The Land of Origins” despite its Level 3 risk level:
- Check the CDC’s latest health warnings and precautions for Ethiopia
- Get travel insurance that includes health and medical evacuation
- Avoid contact with sick people with symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash
- Avoid contact with dead bodies
- Avoid contact with bats or the caves where they live, as well as nonhuman primates (monkeys)
- If you experience other symptoms such as chest pain, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding or bruising, do not travel, isolate yourself, and contact a healthcare facility for advice.
U.S. Embassy’s Security Alert For Tanzania’s Protests That Could Disrupt Travel
Under the recently increased Level 3 U.S. travel advisory for Tanzania, American travelers are advised to reconsider visiting the East African nation due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals. But on December 5, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam warned that nationwide protests could start this weekend or on December 9.
The embassy warns that these demonstrations could lead to travel disruptions such as the cancellations of international flights and ferries to Zanzibar, which connect the mainland to Tanzania’s scenic islands. U.S. citizens in Tanzania are also advised about possible countrywide curfews, internet shutdowns, and roadblocks restricting any movement.
The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania has already barred government employees from traveling domestically as of December 8, but the embassy remains open for limited emergency services on that day and the 10th. Americans in Tanzania are advised to avoid crowds and protests, store enough food and water supply, follow all local laws and curfews, and confirm flights directly with the airline before heading to the airport.
U.S. Embassy’s Crime And Violence Warning For Croatia This Holiday Season
Though Croatia remains under a Level 1 U.S. travel advisory, the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb issued a security alert on December 1, warning American tourists about its risky holiday season. The notice cites an “increase in crime and security-related incidents,” particularly the existing global threats from transnational terrorist organizations and extremists.
The U.S. embassy warns that terrorist and extremist attacks typically target high-traffic tourist areas such as Croatia’s famous holiday markets, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, and transportation hubs. The risk of being a victim of pickpocketing, among other crimes of opportunity, is also heightened during this festive season.
American tourists visiting Croatia are advised to be vigilant when sightseeing, be extra cautious of large crowds, and have a personal security plan for the events mentioned above. Check the U.S. travel advisory page for Croatia for more information on travel preparation, as well as the Level 2 warning for landmines in the counties of Karlovac and Lika-Senj, two hours away from Zagreb.
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