Travel Vaccine Breaking News

the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director-General Chile Ihekweazu stated to local media on July 20, 2021, there are 59 suspected monkeypox cases, with 15 cases already confirmed in Nigeria.

Mr. Ihekweazu said this while reacting to the monkeypox case recently confirmed in Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Ihekweazu told NAN that 'The federal government was notified of the situation in Texas, through the International Health Regulations (IHR), who reported a case of monkeypox disease diagnosed in a patient who had recently visited Nigeria.'

“Since the re-emergence of monkeypox in the country in September 2017, the NCDC has continued to receive reports and responses to sporadic cases of the disease across the country. In addition, we have been working closely with state health ministries to strengthen monkeypox disease surveillance and response in the country."

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially severe viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-4 weeks, says the U.S. CDC.

From a protection perspective, JYNNEOS is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved non-replicating smallpox and monkeypox vaccine for preventing disease in adults 18 years of age and older. The CDC suggests speaking with a healthcare provider at least one month before departing to at-risk destinations.

U.S. citizens can visit the Embassy’s webpage for more information on related restrictions and conditions in Nigeria. However, if you intend to visit Nigeria, the US Department of State says Do Not Travel to:

• Borno, Yobe, and northern Adamawa states due to terrorism and kidnapping,
• Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states due to kidnapping,
• Coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (except for Port Harcourt) due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime.

The U.S. Embassy is scheduled to be closed to the public for holidays. The Embassy plans to resume full public operations on July 26, 2021. Services affected include routine American citizen services, visas, and the Education Advising Center. U.S. Citizens who experience an emergency may contact the duty officer through the Embassy switchboard on +234 (9) 461-4000, then press zero.

The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 3 Travel Advisory on July 19, 2021, advising against all travel to India. Level 3 encourages U.S. citizens to reconsider travel to the country due to serious safety and security risks, as conditions in any country may change at any time.

The State Department says 'do not travel to:

• The state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) is due to terrorism and civil unrest.
• Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict.
• The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates based in New Delhi continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions in India. U.S. citizens who must travel to India are strongly urged to get fully vaccinated before travel and continue to take personal health safety measures to protect themselves and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation.

And enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world. The Embassy represents 17 U.S. federal government agencies and coordinates the activities of four consulates;  in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

The Embassy also maintains a Virtual Consulate serving residents of Bangalore.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for India due to COVID-19, indicating a high level of disease in the country. However, your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA Authorized vaccine, says the CDC. India offers other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Covaxin and Covishield.

The Government of Canada announced today it is prioritizing the health and safety of everyone in Canada by taking a risk-based and measured approach to re-opening its borders.

On September 7, 2021, provided that the domestic epidemiologic situation remains favorable, the Government intends to open Canada’s borders to fully vaccinated travelers who have completed the full course of COVID-19 vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days before entering Canada, and who meet specific entry requirements, stated a press release.

As a first step, starting August 9, 2021, Canada plans to begin allowing entry to American citizens and permanent residents living in the USA and have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entering Canada for non-essential travel.

If they are eligible to enter Canada and meet specific criteria, fully vaccinated, travelers will not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada.

This preliminary step allows the Government of Canada to fully operationalize the adjusted border measures ahead of September 7, 2021, and recognizes the many close ties between Canadians and Americans.

Subject to limited exceptions, all travelers must use Canada's ArriveCAN to submit their travel information.

As of July 19, 2021, the U.S. CDC's website says, 'Because of the current situation in Canada, all travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.' See the CDC's recommendations for unvaccinated travelers.

If you decide to visit Canada, see the U.S. Embassy's web page regarding COVID-19, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

The U.S. CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed on July 15, 2021, a human monkeypox case in a U.S. resident who recently traveled from Nigeria to the USA. The patient is currently hospitalized in Dallas, Texas.

The CDC confirmed it is working with the airline and state and local health officials to contact airline passengers and others who may have been in contact with the patient during two flights while heading to Dallas.

Since travelers on these flights and in airports were required to wear face masks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, it’s believed the risk of the spread of monkeypox via respiratory droplets to others on the planes and in the airports is low, says the CDC.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially severe viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body. Most infections last 2-4 weeks. 

In this case, laboratory testing at CDC showed the patient is infected with a strain of monkeypox most commonly seen in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria. Infections with this strain of monkeypox are fatal in about 1% of people.

There is one preventive vaccine available in the USA.

JYNNEOS is the only U.S. FDA-approved non-replicating smallpox and monkeypox vaccine for preventing disease in adults 18 years of age and older.

The CDC is also running studies in the Democratic Republic of Congo to assess whether the smallpox vaccine Jynneos may help protect healthcare workers from contracting undiagnosed monkeypox infections from their patients.

The US Department of State issued a notice on July 12, 2021, stating 'mail delays are impacting when we receive passport applications for processing. Our processing times begin the day we receive your application, not the day you mail it.'

The State Department says passport applicants can expect the following level of service:

• Routine service can take up to 18 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 18-week timeframe includes up to 12 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
• Expedite service (for an additional $60) can take up to 12 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 12-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 6 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
• Our processing times (up to 12 weeks for routine; up to 6 weeks for expedite) do not include mailing times. Mail times vary and delays have been significant. Plan ahead.

Furthermore, due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. We do not charge a fee to make an appointment, says the State Department.

Visit a Passport Agency to apply at least six months before a planned trip abroad to learn more.

The Saudi Press Agency reported on July 8, 2021, digital registration for male and female pilgrims planning to perform Hajj this year was completed. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced as many as 60,000 multinational eligible candidates representing 150 countries from inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had been selected since the start of the process on the 3rd of Dhul-Qa’dah 1442 H.

Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdelfattah bin Suleiman Mashat, said in a press release that the number of registered pilgrims for this year reached 558,270 pilgrims in the first stage of registration which ended on Thursday 28 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1442 H.

Later eligible candidates were chosen according to several conditions, including age and those performing the ritual for the first time, in addition to adhering to precautionary and preventive measures.

The Ministry also called on all pilgrims who have been granted Hajj permits this year to take the second COVID-19 vaccine dose, as they will be receiving it without booking an appointment in advance.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that pilgrims would be received on the 7th and 8th of Dhul-Hijjah at four reception centers. After that, they will be transported by bus to the Holy Mosque in Makkah to perform Arrival Tawaf (circumambulation) before heading to the Holy Sites.

The Saudi Embassy says 'Undertaking the Hajj at least once is a duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Makkah. The emphasis on financial ability is meant to ensure that a Muslim takes care of his family first. The requirement that a Muslim be healthy and physically capable of undertaking the pilgrimage is intended to exempt those who cannot endure the rigors of extended travel.'

'The pilgrimage is the religious high point of a Muslim's life and an event that every Muslim dreams of undertaking. Hajj is performed during a five-day period from the ninth through the thirteenth of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

Hajj 2021 will begin on the evening of Saturday, July 17, 2021.

On July 1, 2021, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 3 Travel Alert stating: the CDC recommends that Americans already in Saudi Arabia not make the pilgrimage. Mass gatherings, such as Hajj, can increase the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 because it can be hard to practice physical distancing.'