SITREP, September 2024

The Month in Review

Americas

• Hurricane Season: The Atlantic hurricane season is ongoing until November. Travelers to the Caribbean and the southeastern United States should monitor weather updates and have contingency plans in place.
• Health Advisories: There is an outbreak of Oropouche fever in parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. This disease is spread by infected midges and mosquitoes. Travelers should take precautions to avoid insect bites.
• Travel Warnings: Venezuela remains at a Level 4 advisory (“Do Not Travel”) due to crime, civil unrest, and the arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens.

Africa

• Health Alerts: There are circulating poliovirus cases in several African countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Ensure polio vaccinations are up to date before traveling.
• Security Concerns: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing an outbreak of clade I mpox, affecting neighboring countries. Travelers should exercise caution and stay informed about local health advisories.
• Travel Warnings: Countries like Mali, Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso have Level 4 advisories (“Do Not Travel”) due to armed conflict and civil unrest.

Asia & Oceania

• Travel Eases: Many Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, have relaxed COVID-19 entry requirements to pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam now offers e-visas valid for up to 90 days for all nationalities.
• Health Notices: Dengue fever is a year-round risk in many parts of Asia, including Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Travelers should take preventive measures against mosquito bites.
• Travel Warnings: Myanmar remains at a Level 4 advisory (“Do Not Travel”) due to civil unrest and armed conflict.

Europe

• Event Advisory: The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have concluded, but travelers should still expect increased security measures and crowds in France.
• Travel Warnings: Russia remains at a Level 4 advisory (“Do Not Travel”) due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
• Safety Precautions: Travelers to countries like France and Germany are advised to exercise a high degree of caution due to potential civil unrest and terrorist threats.

Digital Detox for Travel Security. When you travel to new or remote places, think about doing a "digital detox" also to stay safe. This means using your phone and computer less and not going online as much. By doing this, you lower the chance of criminals stealing your information, which happens more often when you're traveling. A digital detox also helps you pay more attention to what's around you, making you safer. It's a smart way to protect yourself and enjoy your trip more.

Community Q and A

Yes, using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is important when traveling, especially if you often use public Wi-Fi hotspots, like at hotels or Airbnb. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted "tunnel" between your device and the internet, making it much harder for hackers or snoopers to see your online activity or steal sensitive info like passwords.

VPNs are pretty easy to set up on your phone or laptop, and many good options are affordable or even free. While they can slightly slow down your internet speed, the security benefits are worth it for travelers. We highly recommend using one!

Have a question? Reply to this email, and we might feature it in next month's Q&A!