INFLUENZA A (H1N1)

As of 12:00 GMT, June 17, 80 countries have officially reported 39,620 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 167 deaths. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases and deaths from the infection - Argentina (733; with one death), Australia (2112, Austria (7), Bahamas (2), Bahrain (12), Barbados (3), Belgium (19), Bermuda (1), Bolivia (11), Brazil (79), British Virgin Islands (1), Bulgaria (2), Canada (4049;7 deaths), Cayman Islands (4), Chile (2335; with 2 deaths), China (382), Colombia (53; with 1 death), Costa Rica (149;with 1 death), Cuba (7), Cyprus (1), Czech Republic (4), Denmark (15), Dominica (1), Dominican Republic (93; with 1 death), Ecuador (86), Egypt (26), El Salvador (125), Estonia (4), Finland (12), France (118), French Polynesia (1), France, Martinique (1), Germany (195), Greece (23), Guatemala (128; with 1 death), Honduras (100), Hungary (4), Iceland (4), India (30), Ireland (12), Israel (152), Italy (72), Jamaica (12), Japan (666), Jordan (2), Kuwait (18), Lebanon (11), Luxembourg (2), Malaysia (17), Mexico (6,241;with 108 deaths), Morocco (3), Netherlands (68), Netherlands (68), New Zealand (127), Nicaragua (118), Norway (13), Panama (272), Paraguay (25), Peru (112), Philippines (193), Poland (7), Portugal (3), Qatar (3), Romania (16), Republic of Korea (65), Russia (3), Samoa (1), Saudi Arabia (17), Singapore (49), Slovakia (3), Spain (499), Sweden (37), Switzerland (27), Thailand (310), Trinidad and Tobago (5), Turkey (16), Ukraine (1), United Arab Emirates (1),The United Kingdom (1,463; with 1 death), The United States of America (17,855; with 44 deaths), Uruguay (36), Venezuela (45), Vietnam (27), West Bank and Gaza Strip (2), Yemen (1).

State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see http://http://travel.state.gov/travel

Gabon - On June 16 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Alert: "The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the risks of travel to Gabon following the death of Gabonese President El-Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba on June 8, 2009 in Spain. The president's remains were returned to Gabon on June 11, with state and private funerals scheduled to occur through Thursday, June 18. A 30-day period of mourning began on June 8. An interim head of state was sworn in and, under Gabon's constitution, must organize elections within 45 days. This Travel Alert expires on July 25, 2009. "While the U.S. Embassy expects the funeral week, the national mourning period, and the ensuing presidential election to develop peacefully and in an orderly fashion, American citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly. Significant traffic congestion, shortages in hotel lodgings, and large crowds throughout the country, particularly in Libreville, are likely to inconvenience travelers. "The Department of State discourages non-essential travel to Gabon on the part of U.S. Government officials and U.S. citizens just before or immediately after the state funeral. "American citizens in Gabon should monitor their own security situations at all times, and avoid large public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations. American citizens are encouraged to report unusual events or activities to the U.S. Embassy. ..."

Iraq - On June 15 The Department of State issued the following updated Travel Warning for Iraq: "The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers inherent in travel to Iraq and recommends against all but essential travel in country given the fluid security situation. Numerous insurgent groups remain active throughout Iraq. Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)-led military operations continue, and attacks persist against the ISF and U.S. forces in many areas of the country. Turkish government forces have carried out operations against elements of the Kongra-Gel terrorist group (KGK, formerly Kurdistan Worker's Party or PKK) located along Iraq's northern border. This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of the current security situation and reiterates the dangers of the use of civilian aircraft and of road travel within Iraq.

This replaces the Travel Warning of June 13, 2008, to provide an update on security incidents and additional concerns about travel within Iraq. "Iraq Remains Dangerous and Unpredictable "While the security environment has shown significant improvement over the past year, Iraq remains dangerous and unpredictable. Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue, including in the International (or "Green") Zone. Methods of attack have included roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mortars and rockets, and human- and vehicle-borne IEDs. Kidnappings still occur; the most recent confirmed kidnapping of an American citizen reported to the U.S. Embassy occurred during July 2008 in Nassariya. In addition to terrorist and criminal attacks, sectarian violence occurs often. U.S. Government personnel require special permission and a security detail at all times when traveling outside of secure facilities and are prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Iraq depending on prevailing security conditions. "Travelers choosing to utilize commercial carriers to enter or depart Iraq should be aware that, although there have been no recent attacks on civilian aircraft, the potential threat still exists, as does the high risk to road transportation as described above.

U.S. Government personnel, with limited exceptions, are generally required to use U.S. military or other official aircraft when entering or departing Iraq. There have been no recent security-related incidents associated with civilian airport operations. Embassy employees, including those resident in northern Iraq, may seek authorization, and under special limited circumstances, have obtained permission to use commercial airlines and civilian airports when entering or departing Iraq. Civilians, including tourists, business people, and temporary residents should recognize the risks associated with air travel to Iraq and must be guided by the security policies of their agencies, companies and sponsors. "Northern Iraq: "

The security situation in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk Governorates in northern Iraq has been relatively more stable than the rest of Iraq in recent years, but violence persists and conditions could deteriorate quickly. Even though there have been fewer terrorist attacks and lower levels of insurgent violence in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk than in other parts of Iraq, the security situation throughout the country remains fluid. Violence associated with the status of Kirkuk is likely to continue, at least within Kirkuk. Insurgent groups continue to operate across the north. In 2008, multiple incidents occurred in Sulymaniya, Erbil, and Dohuk involving IEDs, rocket and mortar fire, vehicle bombs, and shootings, though none resulted in U.S. casualties. While many parts of northern Iraq have become more stable, Mosul continues to experience intense violence and instability. "International Zone Restrictions "The U.S. Embassy is located in the International Zone (IZ) in Baghdad. The IZ is a restricted access area. The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Government personnel assigned to Iraq to be sufficiently serious so as to require them to live and work under strict security guidelines.

"Limited Emergency Support to American Citizens: "The U.S. Embassy provides limited visa services to the general public and provides restricted emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq, particularly those located outside of Baghdad. American citizens who choose to visit or reside in Iraq despite this Travel Warning are urged to take responsibility for their own personal security and belongings (including their U.S. passports), avoid crowds, especially rallies or demonstrations, and to inform the U.S. Embassy of their presence in Iraq.

Uzbekistam - On June 16 The Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "The Department of State warns U.S. citizens that the potential for a terrorist attack or localized civil disturbance still exists in Uzbekistan. The Department of State continues to urge Americans in Uzbekistan to exercise caution when traveling in the region. This supersedes the Travel Warning dated July 3, 2008. "The U.S. Government continues to receive information that indicates terrorist groups may be planning attacks, possibly against U.S. interests, in Uzbekistan. Supporters of terrorist groups such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Al-Qaida, the Islamic Jihad Union, and the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement are active in the region. Members of these groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and have attacked U.S. Government interests in the past, including the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, and may attempt to target U.S. Government or private American interests in Uzbekistan. In the past, these groups have conducted kidnappings, assassinations, and suicide bombings.

"High security at official U.S. facilities may lead terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets. These may include facilities where Americans and other foreigners congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events, and resorts. The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent continues to employ heightened security precautions. U.S. citizens should report any unusual activity to local authorities and then inform the Embassy. "Uzbekistan experienced a wave of terrorist violence in 2004 and a number of incidents have occurred since then. In July 2004, there were three suicide bombings in Tashkent, including one outside the U.S. Embassy. The Islamic Jihad Union (IJU) claimed responsibility for the attacks. The IJU also used suicide bombers in multiple attacks focused on police and Uzbek private and commercial facilities in Tashkent and Bukhara in late March and early April 2004. In May 2005, armed militants stormed a prison in Andijon, released its prisoners, and then took control of the regional administration and other government buildings in Andijon Province. Fighting broke out between government forces and the militants, and reports indicated that several hundred civilians died in the ensuing violence. In May 2009, there were attacks on a border post in Khonobod and a suicide bombing at a police station in the city of Andijon.